Veld fires kill nine people
Veld fires kill nine people
22 October 2014
published by www.bulawayo24.com
Zimbabwe — Nine people have died, while properties worthy millions of dollars have been destroyed by veld fires that were recorded since the beginning of the fire season in July.
The Environmental Management Agency says 9 people have died due to veldt fires compared to four people who died during the same period last year.
Although the fire incidences for this year currently stand at 2 002, which is below the 2 231 recorded last year, EMA Education and Publicity Manager Steady Kangata said the issue of veldt fires remains a thorn in the flesh.
So far, 1 516 469 hectares have been destroyed by veldt fires, a figure which is above the 1 072 129 that was burnt during the same period last year.
In the past five years, 61 people died in fires during the dry season.
Millions of dollars’ worth of property and vast tracts of land were also destroyed.
