Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said Namibia recorded 42 veld fires between 23-30 September this year.
Updating the National Assembly on Tuesday, Shifeta said the most affected regions are Kavango East, Kavango West, Otjozondjupa, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Ohangwena, Kunene, Oshana, Omusati and Omaheke.
According to Shifeta, from January to October, 220 100ha were burned in the Zambezi; 635 900ha in Kavango East; 181 700ha in Kavango West; 8900ha in Ohangwena; 23 800ha in Omusati; 12 200 in Oshana; 86 800ha in Oshikoto; 10 100ha in Kunene; 875 400ha in Otjozondjupa; 161 100ha in Omaheke and 2000ha in Khomas region.
“This presents massive damage to our environment and reason for all Namibians to be concerned,” the minister said.
Shifeta said since Namibia’s fire season started in July every year and this year, the frequency and extent of veld fires have become a serious concern for the ministry despite continued calls to members of the public and stakeholder to prevent the occurrence and spread of fires.
The ministry, he said, has gone further to sensitize members of the public on the dangers,
preventive measures and suppression techniques for fires using public platforms such as radio, newspapers, television, and social media.
Considering the fact that fires are occurring at an unacceptable frequency and rate, Pohamba said the ministry calls on the public to report any fires as soon as possible for a swift response as well as to observe the following measures and good practices.
- Members of the public are required to use fire responsibly and advised to clear areas around their homesteads and places of residence.
- Parents must ensure that children do not light fires without supervision.
- Before starting a fire, check the surrounding to assess the risk (flammable materials, wind speed etc.) of burning beyond the intended area.
- Where required, put in place preventative measures to stop the fire from spreading to unintended places.
- Charcoal makers must take fire preventative measures when involved in charcoal making activities,
- Smokers should put out their cigarette butts completely before disposing of them,
- People using fires for domestic purposes such as cooking, heating, camping etc, must ensure that fires are totally extinguished afterwards.
- When using fire to clear a specific area, be sure to inform relevant officials to advise including Nature conservation, forestry officials and the Namibian Police.
- Members of the public should continuously educate ourselves on the
dangers caused by forest/veld fires.
- Report wildfire to forestry offices near you.
