Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe is working to improve its firefighting capacity as the country continues to face recurring wildfires that threaten forests, agriculture, and human lives.

Every year, fires destroy vast areas of land, and limited resources make it difficult to contain the damage.

Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana, recently highlighted the urgency of the situation in a post on X, stating that Zimbabwe was facing a severe shortage of modern fire engines to combat the constant threat of forest fires.

“The Republic of Zimbabwe is facing a pressing issue: a severe shortage of modern fire engines to combat the constant threat of forest fires. Every year, vast areas of forests are ravaged by flames, causing irreparable damage to ecosystems, agriculture, and human lives,” said Mangwana.

He also pointed out that the lack of adequate firefighting equipment has made it difficult to control these fires before they escalate.

Mangwana explained that without the necessary resources, fires often spiral out of control, destroying everything in their path.

“The lack of adequate firefighting equipment means that fires often spiral out of control, destroying everything in their path. Fire engines that could swiftly stop the spread of flames are in short supply across the country. Local services struggle to respond quickly, and outdated equipment fails to meet modern firefighting standards,” he said.

While wildfires remain a major concern, residential and infrastructure fires have also increased, adding pressure on firefighting services.

Limited specialised vehicles and equipment have made it difficult for rescue teams to respond effectively to such emergencies.

“Forest fires are just one part of the problem. Numerous fires in residential areas and on infrastructure sites also require immediate action. Unfortunately, without enough specialised vehicles and equipment, rescue services have limited capabilities,” noted Mangwana.

The impact of these fires has been devastating.

“The consequences are devastating. In 2010, 25 people died due to forest fires in Zimbabwe, causing significant damage to ecosystems and agriculture. In 2022, forest fires took the lives of at least 18 people and destroyed around 231,100 hectares of land,” said Mangwana.

To address these challenges, Government is implementing restoration efforts to mitigate environmental damage.

Mangwana noted that despite these difficulties, Zimbabwe is actively working to restore its forests and ecosystems.

The Forestry Commission has announced plans to plant around 25 million trees annually to compensate for the loss of forests due to human activity.

However, authorities recognise that tree planting alone is not enough. Modern firefighting equipment is essential in protecting both the environment and communities.

Firefighting machinery plays a crucial role in maintaining and preserving forests, preventing large-scale destruction caused by fires.

Government has emphasised the need to acquire modern firefighting machinery, provide training for firefighters and emergency responders, and develop infrastructure to support fire prevention and disaster response efforts.

These measures aim to ensure the safety of communities and the preservation of Zimbabwe’s natural resources.