Wildland fires a menace –Mmolotsi

Spira Tlhankane | Monday March 17, 2025 11:11

Speaking in parliament this week, Mmolotsi said under the conservation and natural resources they will focus on wildland fires alongside veldt products, wildlife resource management, and utilisation of natural resources by local communities.

Mmolotsi was quick to disclose that the total area burnt during the period from April 2023 to January 2024 compared to the same period this financial year has reduced by 76%. “The reduction is a result of low rainfall and, subsequently, low fuel load. Notwithstanding, the effects of wildland fires resulted in air and water pollution, land degradation, habitat destruction, and livestock and wildlife mortality,” he said.

The Francistown South legislator also indicated that during the period under review, the Ministry successfully maintained 391km of firebreaks in the Kgatleng District and conducted prescribed burning in the Chobe and Okavango Districts. He said the ministry also trained local communities in all fire-prone Districts and embarked on a communication and sensitisation programme to raise public awareness about the wildfire situation.

“Despite the proactive efforts in wildland fire management, the Ministry could not maintain the eight firebreak maintenance projects planned for the 2024/2025 financial year due to legal and procedural complications. The country has also been experiencing significantly high rainfall amounts during the current rainfall season which will result in high fuel load, increasing the risk of fires during the dry season,” he said.

In preparation for the next fire season, Mmolotsi said his ministry will maintain 9,448km of firebreaks in Northwest, Chobe, Okavango, Ghanzi, Charleshill, Hukuntsi, Tsabong, Mabutsane, Kanye, Goodhope, Serowe, Mahalapye, Boteti, Tutume, Letlhakane, Kweneng and Kgatleng Districts, starting in May 2025.