Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Counts Cost of Wildfires As Communities Urged to Fight Back

What the report says

Zimbabwe is stepping up warnings about wildfire risk as the country enters and moves through its official fire season, with the Environmental Management Agency urging communities to help prevent veldfires alongside government departments, farmers and other stakeholders. The report, published by 263Chat and distributed by AllAfrica, says the appeal was made at a fire-management media briefing in Harare.

EMA said thousands of hectares have already been destroyed by fires, with property, infrastructure and livelihoods also threatened. Environmental Education and Publicity Manager Amkela Sidange said fire prevention cannot be left to one part of society, and stressed the agency’s role in protecting natural resources and environmental sustainability. The article also notes that recent wildfires have damaged lodges, forestry and farming equipment, as well as energy infrastructure.

According to EMA, 748 fire incidents were recorded between 31 July and 31 August, affecting about 276,828 hectares. The agency said 627 fires had already been logged and about 186,979 hectares lost before the official start of the season, and that one person died in Masvingo before the season began. By comparison, the same period in 2025 saw 794 fire incidents. EMA said the decline was small and warned that dry, hot and windy conditions can quickly worsen fires.

The agency is using remote sensing and community reports to improve monitoring and preparedness. More broadly, the article suggests climate change is making the traditional fire season less predictable, with incidents appearing earlier and later than usual.