Veld fires destroy property, crops worth US$10 000

AT least 1 800 veld fires have been recorded this fire season, destroying property worth an estimated US$ 10 000 since July 31, the Environmental Management Agency ( EMA) has reported.

Huts, agricultural equipment and grains were burnt, with land clearing and suspected illegal hunting remaining the main causes of fires in the country.

Only one death has been reported. EMA spokesperson Ms Amkela Sidange said 12 veld fire dockets had been opened.

“To date 1 811 veld fires and land burns damaged 363 913,18 hectares and caused one death of a 78-yearold woman was recorded in ward 7 of Gutu District in Masvingo,” she said.

According to EMA , there was a sharp reduction in the total land devastated by veld fires this season in comparison to the same period last year.

The same period last year saw 2 561 veld fires recorded burning 571862,16 hectares and caused 2 deaths.

According to Ms Sidange, Matabeleland North has suddenly overshoot the traditional highly impacted Mashonaland West following massive loses to fires in the expansive forestry and wildlife areas characteristic of the province.

“Top 5 most affected provinces are:

Matabeleland North 101 298,9ha; Mashonaland West 79 482,88ha; Mashonaland East 43 608,92ha; Matabeleland South 37 663,68ha; Mashonaland Central 36 118,06ha,” she said.

“Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central lost more huts with Masvingo recording highest of nine. Inside those huts were numerous household goods and equipment such as grains, kitchen utensils, beds, clothes among others.”

She said the total number of huts lost was around 16, with Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East and Masvingo provinces suffering major losses.

As a preventative strategy, Ms Sidange said an awareness campaign with the theme “Prevent veld fires-protect the environment, our natural heritage” was started during the national fire week launch in the second week of May.

Since the launch, she said EMA had been working with several stakeholders

“We have not stopped on awareness raising and will continue up to the end of the season and during the fire restriction period it’s now done back to back with law enforcement,working together with law enforcement agencies in the country to punish all those who violate standing laws on veld fire management,” she said.