Veld fires destroy nearly 460 000 hectares
Good rains lead to dense natural fuel load
Although no disaster zones have been declared yet, the environment ministry has requested additional resources to boost preparedness.
Namibia has recorded the destruction of about 459 788 hectares of land by veld fires so far this year, with the Erongo, Kavango East, Kunene, Oshana, Omusati and Zambezi regions most affected.
Environment and forestry ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela said the high rainfall earlier this year has created a heavy natural fuel load, raising the risk of extensive fires.
Most outbreaks are linked to human activity, including welding near dry vegetation, charcoal production, discarded cigarette butts and other negligent acts.
Although no areas have been declared disaster zones, the ministry has requested additional resources to boost preparedness.
“The ministry does have some firefighting resources, but they are not sufficient,” Hamunyela said, adding that collaboration among all stakeholders was essential.
According to her, the National Fire Management Strategy remains in draft form, with public consultations pending. Local communities are being engaged through training, provision of basic equipment and the creation of fire cutlines.
Losses reported include grazing land and fencing, but, so far, no deaths, injuries or livestock and wildlife losses have been recorded.
High risk
The Namibian Agricultural Union, however, said recent veld fires have not just destroyed grazing and damaged farmland in several regions, but that farmers also reported livestock losses.
Union spokesperson Tanja Dahl said while good rains earlier in the year had produced sufficient grazing, the onset of winter left dry grass and dense biomass that now pose a high fire risk.
Preparedness varies across regions, but most commercial farmers have fire management plans, fodder reserves and trained staff in place, she said.
“Since veld fires are an annual occurrence, farmers should continuously prepare and adapt their strategies,” Dahl said.
Information sharing
According to her, the union has not recorded direct government or stakeholder support specifically for affected farmers but says fire incidents are reported through established local channels and monitored using NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System.
The NAU has engaged the ministries of environment and defence, the Roads Authority, and TransNamib to request greater national support for veld fire prevention and control.
Dahl urged the public to act responsibly to safeguard grazing, infrastructure and biodiversity.
Environment and forestry ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela said the high rainfall earlier this year has created a heavy natural fuel load, raising the risk of extensive fires.
Most outbreaks are linked to human activity, including welding near dry vegetation, charcoal production, discarded cigarette butts and other negligent acts.
Although no areas have been declared disaster zones, the ministry has requested additional resources to boost preparedness.
“The ministry does have some firefighting resources, but they are not sufficient,” Hamunyela said, adding that collaboration among all stakeholders was essential.
According to her, the National Fire Management Strategy remains in draft form, with public consultations pending. Local communities are being engaged through training, provision of basic equipment and the creation of fire cutlines.
Losses reported include grazing land and fencing, but, so far, no deaths, injuries or livestock and wildlife losses have been recorded.
High risk
The Namibian Agricultural Union, however, said recent veld fires have not just destroyed grazing and damaged farmland in several regions, but that farmers also reported livestock losses.
Union spokesperson Tanja Dahl said while good rains earlier in the year had produced sufficient grazing, the onset of winter left dry grass and dense biomass that now pose a high fire risk.
Preparedness varies across regions, but most commercial farmers have fire management plans, fodder reserves and trained staff in place, she said.
“Since veld fires are an annual occurrence, farmers should continuously prepare and adapt their strategies,” Dahl said.
Information sharing
According to her, the union has not recorded direct government or stakeholder support specifically for affected farmers but says fire incidents are reported through established local channels and monitored using NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System.
The NAU has engaged the ministries of environment and defence, the Roads Authority, and TransNamib to request greater national support for veld fire prevention and control.
Dahl urged the public to act responsibly to safeguard grazing, infrastructure and biodiversity.
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