MORE RESILIENCE NEEDED AS VELD FIRES RAGE ON

2 min read

3 years ago admin

By Margaret Kamba

Agronomist Irvine Craig has advised farmers to determine what fire protection equipment to use as the fire season rages on.

The fire season begins every 31st of July and ends on the 31st of October annually. Over the years the country loses at least 300 000 hectares of land to veld fires with property and lives lost in the process.

With the high temperatures expected this year due to a good rainy season last year, it is imperative that more precautions be taken as veld fires threaten food security resulting in more vulnerable communities. It is argued that strong disaster preparedness and raising awareness is crucial to cushion communities from such catastrophies.

The provinces at extreme risk are Mashonaland West, East and Central as well as Manicaland, while the two Matabeleland Provinces, Midlands and Masvingo are this time around at high risk of veld fires.

Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 of the Environment Impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection Regulations states that it is an offence to deliberately start a fire and to fail to report a fire within seven working days. Fines go up to ZWL$5000.

On his Twitter page, Mudhumeni Mukuru wrote “Fire protection on properties should be planned; it is much more effective if it is co-ordinated. Farm owners can unite to construct fire guards around their properties. Farmers should determine the fire protection apparatus that is needed. A tractor with a trailer & a number of drums of water & a small pump can be used as a fire fighting unit. Make a number of fire beaters for placement on the back of the vehicle during the fire danger hazard.”

Environmental Management Agency EMA’s Environmental Education and Publicity Manager Amkela Sidange is on record for saying that the impending veld fires are a threat to this year’s bumper harvests.

The year’s theme is: ‘Veldfires and Food Security – Protect The Harvest’.

Some of the fire equipment recommended includes fire extinguishers, fire blankets, signage, sprinklers, first aid kits, fire hose reels and smoke alarms among others.