The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has urged farmers, landowners, traditional leaders and communities to put fire prevention measures in place ahead of the 2026 veld fire restriction period, which begins next week.
In a public notice, the agency said the restriction period has been gazetted to run from 1 July to 30 November 2026.
With only days to go, EMA said it was reminding all stakeholders to activate prevention and suppression systems to limit the damage caused by veld fires each year.
The agency has called for standard fireguards to be put in place around farms and properties. External boundary fireguards must be at least nine metres wide on either side of the fence or boundary line, while internal fireguards should be at least 4.5 metres wide. All fireguards must be cleared of flammable material.
Communities are also expected to establish and train firefighting teams at the farm and village level and keep them on high alert throughout the season. EMA said firefighting equipment must be readily available and easily accessible, and that local fire alert systems should be set up to allow for a rapid response when outbreaks occur.
Other measures include reducing excess biomass through thatch grass harvesting, grass combing, hay baling and other sustainable practices, as well as carrying out continuous awareness campaigns at gatherings, meetings and other public platforms.
The agency has warned against the use of fire outside residential or business premises during the restriction period. It said all veld fires must be reported immediately to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, traditional leaders, local authorities, the Forestry Commission, the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS), and EMA itself.
EMA said failure to comply with the regulations may attract a fine not exceeding Level 14, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
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