By Tonderai Saharo
Harare, Zimbabwe
At least two people have died, and 392,183.85 hectares of land have been ravaged by wildfires in Zimbabwe since July 1st, according to official reports.
The devastating fires mark a sharp increase compared to last year, when 126,150.09 hectares were burned without any reported fatalities.
Wildfires destroy vast lands in zimbabwe PIC Newzimbabwe.com
Spokesperson for the Environmental Management Agency, Amkela Sidange, expressed concern over the worsening situation.
"On average, 157.09 hectares have been burned per incident this year, exceeding last year's average of 141.74 hectares," he said.
The number of fire incidents has also spiked, rising from 1,011 in 2023 to 1,620 this year, with two tragic deaths reported.
The hardest-hit region has been Mashonaland West Province, accounting for 52.92% of the total burned area. Mashonaland Central (14.45%) and Mashonaland East (9.22%) Provinces have also suffered significant losses.
While urban centers like Bulawayo and Harare have largely been spared, peri-urban areas around Bulawayo remain vulnerable.
Resettlement areas, particularly A1 and A2 schemes, have been disproportionately affected, covering 50.35% of the total burnt area.
Other impacted regions include safari areas (22.52%), communal lands (9.54%), and small-scale farms (5.03%).
In response to the growing crisis, law enforcement has ramped up efforts, with 14 legal cases opened since the start of the fire restriction period.
Authorities are urging communities to report fire incidents within seven days and provide accurate information to assist law enforcement.
Sidange also advised farmers to take stringent fire suppression measures and safeguard their winter wheat crops from the looming threat of veldfires.
"Additionally, only able-bodied individuals between the ages of 16 and 65 should engage in firefighting efforts to minimize the risk of further casualties," he added.
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