Johnson Progress

At least three people lost their lives, and millions of properties were damaged this year by veld fires which are rampant in the country.

This came out of the post cabinet brief, which revealed that 211 fire incidents were reported between October 4 and 10, 2025, burning approximately 76,940.61 hectares of veld.

This represents a significant increase from the same period last year, when 49,745.83 hectares were affected.

“These veld fires have been prevalent mainly in the provinces of Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, and Mashonaland Central,” said a Cabinet statement.

The high incidence of fire is attributed to increased windy conditions experienced during the week.

The fires have resulted in the loss of three lives and destruction of property valued at over US$1,454,850, including agricultural equipment, tourism facilities, and household items.

In response, government has convened 177 fire awareness meetings, reaching 30,688 people.

“We urge farmers to ensure they have appropriate fire suppression measures, fire-fighting equipment, and teams to fight the veld fires,” said the Cabinet statement.

Farmers are also advised to use alternative land preparation tools, such as hoes and axes, instead of fire during the restriction period.

Government will enforce penalties for non-adherence to veld fire regulations.

“We will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to comply with the regulations,” said a government official.

The provinces most affected by veld fires are Mashonaland West (46.06%), Mashonaland East (14.97%), and Mashonaland Central (14.73%).

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has attributed many veld fires to human activities, including land clearing and hunting.

Last year, a staggering 403,597 hectares of land were destroyed by veld fires in Mashonaland West alone, marking a 78% increase from the previous year.