Fire in the sky, misery on the ground

Friday, August 07, 2026 | 190 Views |

Raging: Incidents of wildfire have nearly tripled this year PIC: MARTIN HARVEY

Wildfires burnt up about 336,231 hectares, more than twice the size of Gaborone, around the country between April and July. That’s an increase of 179% from last year. Authorities are bracing for even more due to heavy vegetation cover and the pending El Nino. MBONGENI MGUNI reports

Across the country, the abundant rains enjoyed in the last season are providing fuel to a rapidly spreading crisis. Between April and July, wildfires destroyed 336,231.31 hectares, an area comparable to more than twice the size of Gaborone.

By comparison, over the same period last year, wildfires raged across 120,410.50 hectares. The numbers represent an increase of nearly 180 percent year on year.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

climate

BPF's Porati joins the fray. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

BPF enters Sefhophe by-election race

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 1d ago

Chebani dumps BCP for BNF

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 1d ago

BTTA puts elite 24 under pressure in Super League

Kabelo Boranabi | 1d ago

Botswana’s Netball World Cup dream up in flames

Calistus Kolantsho | 1d ago

Ramoreboli urges local players to be ambitious

Mqondisi Dube | 1d ago

Kgatleng Region challenges BFA over arbitration case

Kabelo Boranabi | 1d ago

Mojadigo plans to file no case to answer

Larona Makhaiza | 2d ago

Selefu

joey kambai | 2d ago

FMD crisis: We must fight as one

That should concern every Motswana. The implications extend far beyond cattle and farmers. Botswana’s beef industry is a critical pillar of the economy, supporting thousands of households and sustaining businesses along the value chain.The loss of access to lucrative export markets has already demonstrated how quickly an animal-health crisis can become an economic crisis.This is, therefore, not the time for complacency, blame, or political...

The Monitor Editor | 22 September 2026

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.