Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has recorded a sharp rise in fire incidents, with 146 reports made to the city’s fire services in August, double the number reported during the same month last year.
Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo said most of the cases involved grass fires, often caused by land clearing or careless disposal of lit material.
“The total number of fire calls was 146 for August 2025, which was a 100% increase compared to the previous year,” he said. “Most of these grass fires were a result of deliberate burning to clear fields and some were due to carelessly discarded lit material.”
Of the incidents, 98 occurred within Bulawayo, while three were reported outside the city, along Airport Road, near the airport, and at Jamaica Inn on Gwanda Road.
Moyo said thick grass growth during the 2024-2025 season had worsened the situation. He added that while there was one case of suspected arson, most of the fires stemmed from illegal land-clearing or farming activities.
The council has responded by calling for stricter enforcement of fire safety bylaws. Officials warned that ignoring regulations not only risks property and lives but also threatens surrounding conservancies.
“We are planning awareness campaigns within the city to avoid fire-related cases. The opening of weep holes programme is already underway, especially in western suburbs,” Moyo said.
Nationally, Zimbabwe has recorded 216 veldfires since the fire restriction period began on 31 July, destroying more than 71 000 hectares of land.
Authorities say while the figures are in line with previous years, they remain concerned about the risks during the current dry season, which ends on 31 October.
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today