Causes of wildland fires, associated socio-economic impacts and challenges with policing, in Chakari resettlement area, Kadoma, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Zimbabwe is among the most fire prone countries in Africa south of the Sahara. Annually over 1 million hectares of land are destroyed by wildland fires during the fire season which runs from July to November. Wildland fires are caused by several agents, cost huge socio and economic loses and are difficult to police. The objective of this study was to evaluate the causes of wildland fires, associated socio-economic impacts and challenges associated with policing wildland fires in Chakari resettlement area. Although the area studied was small compared to the whole country, the results showed typical challenges that are faced in many resettlement areas in Zimbabwe. The study used multiple sources of information including review of published literature, reports from regulatory agencies, questionnaires, interviews and field observations. The results from the study showed that 86 % of the respondents suggested that wildland fires are caused by human negligence and deliberate arson, 14 % suggested that wildland fires are caused by natural factors such as lightning and spontaneous ignition, while 6 % suggested that events such as vehicle and locomotive accidents and electron clouding of power lines cause wildland fires. The major human causes of wildland fires were cited as hunting and bee harvesting (84 %), burning of crop residues and land preparation (80 %), burning homestead surroundings to improve visibility (79 %) and deliberate arson was cited by 61 % of the respondents. Using the contingency valuation method, the estimated average income loss from wildland fires was US$1 408 ha −1 year −1 . The major challenges faced in policing wildland fires included poor community participation in fire related activities (69 %), absence of deterrent fines (64 %), complexity of the crimes (51 %), inadequate training (45 %) and lack of resources (40 %). Fire management should move away from fire fighting to prevention and sustainable practices such as early burning. In addition there is need for extensive training of communities on fire management and managing ignition sources. Policing of wildland fires can be improved through availing more resources towards policing, improved training, establishing partnerships with local population and leadership, and empowering traditional leadership to police wildland fires.

Exploring the utility of Sentinel-2 MSI and Landsat 8 OLI in burned area mapping for a heterogenous savannah landscape

“…These fires have been reported to be concentrated in the northern region of Zimbabwe [35,36] and accurately mapping these wildfires allows an understanding of their drivers. About the drivers, from Chinamatira, et al [37] we know that arson and human negligence account for 86% and natural phenomena account for 14%. Patience Zisadza-Gandiwa, et al [38] also reasoned that human activities such as animal poaching and land clearing for agricultural purposes are major drivers of wild fires.…”

Understanding the Causes, Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of 2019 Veld Fires in the Kingdom of Eswatini

“…Vast pieces of land are burnt annually in most countries in the developing world such as Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique (Jha et al, 2016;Nyamadzawo et al, 2013;Mbanze et al, 2013). Chinamatira et al (2016) and Mbanze et al (2013) concur that the tropical savannas of Africa and elsewhere are among the most fire-prone ecosystems, with most of these experienced fires being anthropogenic in nature.…”

“…Major driving forces for fire outbreak in developing countries, and particularly in Africa, are arson and conflicts, smoking out beehives, cooking or trying to keep warm, and clearing land for cultivation (Mbanze et al, 2013;Phiri et al, 2011;Chinamatira et al, 2016). Other causes of veld fires include burning of homestead surroundings to improve visibility, burning of crop residues, and creation of fire breakers, vehicle and locomotive accidents, and electron clouding of power lines (Chinamatira et al, 2016;Frost, 1992). The use of fires to settle disputes, particularly those relating to land issues, is also becoming a common feature in most African countries (Nyamadzawo et al, 2013;Nepstad et al, 1999).…”

Causalidad de los incendios forestales en Pinar del Río, Cuba (1975-2018)

“…Las causas de los incendios incluyen personas que encienden fuegos con el fin de limpiar tierras para el cultivo, aprovechar la miel de las colmenas, hacer carbón, cocinar o tratar de mantener el calor, e incendios provocados y como una forma de resolver disputas (Chinamatira et al, 2016). La temperatura, la humedad relativa, las especies arbóreas, la distancia a las vías de acceso (desde la tierra agrícola y desde el asentamiento), la velocidad del viento, la cantidad de área quemada y el mes, son los factores de riesgo que pueden afectar la ocurrencia de estos incendios (Sevinc et al, 2019).…”