EMA targets zero deaths during fire season in Midlands

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The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has set a target of zero deaths in Midlands province during this year’s veld fire season, an official said.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has set a target of zero deaths in Midlands province during this year’s veld fire season, an official said.

BY Stephen Chadenga

The fire season starts on July 31 and ends on October 31 each year.

EMA Midlands provincial information and publicity officer, Timothy Nyoka said stakeholders in the region should join their hands together to avoid deaths this fire season.

Environment

“We expert a lot of co-operation from different stakeholders of the Midlands province since we wish to have zero loss of human life due to veld fires,” he said.

“Our experience as EMA within the province is that many stakeholders think it is the responsibility of the agency to put out all veld fires within their properties and farms.”

Last year the province recorded three deaths after members of the same family died in Chiodza village, Chirumanzu after they were trapped in a veld fire.

In Lalapanzi, property worth $11 400 was destroyed at a farm after a tractor and four tonnes of maize were destroyed by a wild inferno.

Nyoka said it was the duty of farmers, the general public, land owners and designated authorities to put out veld fires within within properties.

To date six people have died elsewhere after veld fires swept across parts of the country early this month.

Of the six who died four are from Mashonaland West province while Mashonaland and Manicaland recorded one death each.