Bush Fires: Part 3 – Management of Fire in Conservation Areas

Introduction

One of the special pleasures of the safari experience is the “sitting round the campfire” but, as we are all too aware in this country, campfires can lead to bush fires, that is, blazes that get out of control, rampage, and destroy extensive tracts of grasslands and forest as well as animals, people and property.

As managers of areas of pristine bush in this country your role is to protect wildlife, trees, grasslands and soils and educate staff and visitors in how to support this protection. You play a key role in counteracting the devastating effects of uncontrolled bush fires, starting with the prevention of outbreaks of fire and paying attention to year round measures to reduce the risk of wild fires.

Measures to prevent camp fires from becoming bush fires

• Using designated fire pits/rings where possible
• Clearing the area around a fire so that it is at least 3 m away from e.g. dry leaves
• Keeping fires small and controlled
• Properly extinguishing fires before leaving or going to bed, with water and stirring ashes until they are cold to the touch
• Avoiding burning plastics and other materials that cause excessive sparks (and toxic fumes)
• Having firefighting equipment available, such as a bucket of water, or a shovel or a fire extinguisher.
• Monitoring wind conditions where strong winds may spread embers/sparks
• Staying informed about local weather forecasts, fire danger ratings, and any fire restrictions in the area.

You are in a position to educate your clients not only in fire safety practices but in the bigger picture of why these practices are important from an environmental point of view. You will also want to know your emergency procedures:

• Familiarize yourself with your safari company’s emergency response plan in the event of a bush fire.

• Know the evacuation routes, fire extinguisher locations, and communication protocols.

Appropriate response to season

Zimbabwe’s climate is strongly seasonal with a long dry season and very high late-season fire risk. Fire risk, fire behaviour, and appropriate management actions change dramatically through the year. In Zimbabwe, most wildfire damage happens not because of fire itself – but because fire occurs at the wrong time.

• Early-season fires can be a management tool
• Late-season fires are almost inevitably an ecological disaster

Understanding when to burn, when not to burn, and when to focus purely on prevention is critical.

Seasonal Fire Management Calendar For Zimbabwe

NOVEMBER – MARCH – Wet Season

🔥 Fire risk: LOW

Conditions

• Regular rainfall
• Green grass and moist soils
• Lightning storms common, but fuels are wet

Fire Behaviour

• Fires rarely spread
• Any fires are usually small and self-extinguishing

Management Focus

✅ NO burning

• Fire is unnecessary and ineffective
• Burning damages actively growing grasses

✅ Preparation and planning

• Review fire records from previous season
• Map firebreaks and access routes
• Repair firefighting equipment (beaters, knapsack sprayers, vehicles)
• Train staff and guides in fire awareness and response

✅ Community engagement

• Educate staff and neighbours about upcoming fire season
• Plan cooperative firebreaks with surrounding communities

APRIL – MAY – Early Dry Season

🔥 Fire risk: LOW–MODERATE

Conditions

• Rains taper off
• Grass begins to dry but still retains moisture
• Cooler temperatures and lighter winds

Fire Behaviour

• Fires burn slowly and cool
• Easier to control
• Minimal damage to trees and soil

Management Focus

✅ IDEAL TIME FOR CONTROLLED (PRESCRIBED) BURNS

• Early-season burns:
  • Remove moribund (dead) grass
  • Reduce fuel loads
  • Create firebreaks and patch mosaics

✅ Ecological benefits

• Minimal harm to wildlife
• Grass recovers well
• Trees largely unaffected

✅ Operational actions

• Burn under mild weather conditions
• Burn in patches, not whole blocks
• Monitor fire behaviour carefully

JUNE – JULY –  Mid Dry Season

🔥 Fire risk: MODERATE

Conditions

• Grass fully cured (dry)
• Cool nights, mild days
• Winds can be variable

Fire Behaviour

• Fires burn moderately
• Can spread faster than early-season fires but still manageable

Management Focus

✅ CONTROLLED BURNING STILL POSSIBLE (WITH CAUTION)

• Continue patch or mosaic burns
• Strengthen strategic firebreaks

✅ Wildfire preparedness

• Fire crews on standby
• Patrol high-risk areas (roadsides, settlements, camps)

✅ Monitoring

• Watch grazing pressure on burnt areas
• Avoid burning too large an area at once

AUGUST – SEPTEMBER –  Late Dry Season

🔥 Fire risk: HIGH

Conditions

• Very dry grass and leaf litter
• Low humidity
• Strong winds
• Increasing temperatures

Fire Behaviour

• Fires spread fast
• Fire intensity increases sharply
• High risk of crown scorch and tree damage

Management Focus

⚠️ NO ECOLOGICAL BURNING RECOMMENDED

• Burning now risks:
  • Killing mature trees
  • Destroying wildlife habitat
  • Creating runaway wildfires

🚫 Fire suppression priority

• Extinguish all accidental fires immediately
• Patrol boundaries and known fire-starting points
• Enforce no-fire rules strictly

✅ Emergency readiness

• Fire crews fully operational
• Equipment deployed and tested daily
• Clear communication channels established

OCTOBER | Extreme Fire Danger Period

🔥🔥 Fire risk: EXTREME

Conditions

• Peak temperatures
• Very low humidity
• Strong winds
• Maximum fuel dryness

Fire Behaviour

• Fires are uncontrollable
• Long flame lengths
• Extreme damage to trees, soil and wildlife

Management Focus

🚨 TOTAL FIRE PREVENTION

• No burning under any circumstances
• Zero tolerance for open flames that might get out of control and start fires

🚨 Rapid response

• Immediate suppression of any fire
• Protect infrastructure, water points and key habitats

🚨 Vigilant checking of high-risk ignition sources

• Vehicles on dry grass
• Cigarettes
• Cooking fires
• Honey harvesting
• Poaching activities

This is the most dangerous month for Zimbabwean bushfires.

At a Glance: Best and Worst Times To Burn