By Virginia Njovo
Masvingo Province has been classified as higher risk of veld fires in the 2025 fire season, mainly due to an increase in biomass resulting from above-normal rainfall received in the rainy season.
Gutu and Masvingo Rural districts expected to be the most affected compared to others who have relatively lower chances.
This came out during the National Fire Week Launch in Gutu on May 28 wherr Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Environmental Officer for Planning and Monitoring, Wilfred Muchono said the rainy season’s lush growth has created ideal conditions for wildfires.
“The 2024–2025 farming season brought normal to above-normal rainfall, leading to an accumulation of biomass. This increases the risk of veld fires, so extra caution is necessary. Several strategies are being employed to mitigate the danger,” said Muchono.
Muchono urged landowners and land users to adopt fire prevention measures such as creating nine-meter-wide fireguards and repurposing dry vegetation.
“During this period, fire should only be seen in the kitchen, anywhere else becomes a punishable offense. Biomass can be baled for poultry bedding, thatching, or even sold as part of a new business venture,” said Muchono.
Masvingo Provincial Environmental Manager Milton Muusha emphasized that the National Fire Week Launch (NFWL) was not just ceremonial but a crucial moment to evaluate preparedness at all levels.
“The NFWL is the engagement of all stakeholders in veldfire Management to ensure availability of adequate capacity to manage fires, these include local communities, local governance structures including local authorities, traditional leaders and development partners.
“It also provides awareness at the outset, the launch is a platform to immediately and widely disseminate information about the dangers of veldfires, their causes and the importance of prevention hence it is time to take stock of villages, wards, districts and provincial preparedness to the upcoming fire season,” said Muusha.
Gutu District, which contains large resettlement areas with dense, unmanaged vegetation, is among the most vulnerable. To prepare for the season, Gutu Rural District Council Chairperson Charles Mannie said they had acquired a fire tender using Constituency Development Funds.
“As the most affected district, we have procured a fire tender using funds from CDF to prepare for the season. With this new fire tender and planned awareness campaigns, we are stepping up our readiness to fight veld fires in the upcoming season,” said Mannie.
Despite the current concerns, veld fire incidents in Masvingo have been declining over the past three years, suggesting that awareness campaigns were having a tangible impact with statistics showing that in 2022, 82,664.10 hectares burned, 2023: 37,460.75 hectares (a 54.7% decrease) and in 2024 (as of October 11): 15,332.45 hectares burned.
