Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has issued a nationwide alert, urging all Namibians to prepare for an intense wildfire season.
Following one of the country’s most productive rainy seasons in recent years, the resulting dense vegetation has created conditions ripe for wildfires.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the ministry revealed that fuel load assessments conducted across the country indicate a high risk of wildfires.
“Some parts of Namibia are already experiencing dry and seasonal strong windy conditions, which are conducive for wildfires to spread,” the statement said.
Wildfires pose a severe threat to both natural ecosystems and human communities.
These fires can rapidly consume vast areas of land, destroying homes, wildlife, and livestock.
“Wildfires can cause widespread damage to property, infrastructure and natural resources, including grazing for our livestock and wildlife. Fires also pose significant risks to human health and safety,” the ministry warned.
To mitigate these risks, MEFT is calling on all stakeholders, including government agencies, local authorities, traditional leaders, farmers, and community members, to raise public awareness about the dangers of wildfires and to be prepared to engage in firefighting efforts when necessary.
Preventative measures recommended by the ministry include cautious use of fire, ensuring fires are completely extinguished before leaving them unattended, avoiding ignition sources in dry areas, maintaining equipment to prevent sparks, creating firebreaks around properties, participating in community fire suppression efforts, keeping surroundings free of flammable materials, properly disposing of cigarette butts, supervising charcoal production, having basic firefighting equipment on hand, and promptly reporting any fire incidents to authorities.
This warning from the MEFT follows a similar alert from the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU).
The NAU urged farmers and residents in remote areas to prepare for an intense wildfire season.
In its warning, the NAU stressed the importance of creating and maintaining firebreaks, using two-way radios for communication, and ensuring that firefighting equipment is readily available and in good working order.
The NAU also advised that all farm workers be trained in basic fire safety and equipped with personal protective gear.
The union, however, cautioned farmers that no fire-related activities should be conducted without the proper permits and that prescribed burns to reduce combustible material must be done under permit and in consultation with local fire associations.
Both the MEFT and the NAU stated that proactive measures and community cooperation are essential to prevent and manage wildfires effectively and added that the time to act is now to safeguard lives, property, and the environment from all wildfire threats.
