THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in Matabeleland North province has raised alarm over the rise in fire incidents in protected areas that has resulted in the destruction of more than 18 000 hectares.

The country has been on high alert for veld fires since the beginning of the fire season on July 31.
EMA Matabeleland North provincial manager Mrs Chipo Zuze-Mpofu said the major causes of veld fires were poachers, gold panners and villagers clearing land for farming.

Mrs Zuze-Mpofu said veld fires were a major problem this year, with vegetation on 18 406 hectares of land lost already compared to 3 570 hectares burnt by September 2020.

“Most major fires are in the Chizarira National Parks in Binga Ward 4, Hwange Fuller and Jafuta Safaris, Ngamo Forest Safaris and Matetsi. These are protected areas and the major cause are people who use fire in poaching activities, except in Matetsi where the cause of fires was due to charcoal production.

“Since the ban on firewood vending, people are now venturing in charcoal production and use fire in producing charcoal and leave the fires unattended,” Mrs Zuze-Mpofu said.

Mrs Zuze-Mpofu said Umguza District also recorded fires in Ward 1 and 2 where people use fire to clear land in preparation for farming.

“We also had veld fires caused by the burning of waste, children playing with fire, lit cigarette stubs and in one case someone disposed of coal ashes that hadn’t been properly doused and they ignited a veld fire. We urge citizens to be very responsible as we have a lot of biomass and any mistake can result in a fire that takes long to put out,” said Mrs Zuze-Mpofu.

She said EMA has so far conducted over 200 mobile fire awareness campaigns in communities this year compared to less than 100 last year after noting the increase in biomass due to normal to above normal rains received. -@themkhust