During wildfire season, usually from May to November, the northern provinces (including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, parts of Gauteng, and the North Eastern Free State), are particularly vulnerable due to their combination of dry grasslands, high wind activity, and poorly maintained land boundaries.
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Last year’s fire season highlighted the urgency of the issue, with over 3,4 million hectares, an area larger than the Kruger National Park, scorched across the country.
According to the Human Sciences Research Council’s Spatial Insights Edition 13, the northern provinces saw the highest concentration of fires.
The data points to an alarming trend: in December alone, South Africa saw a 96% increase in wildfire incidents compared to the previous year, with a 70% surge in out-of-season fires.
“The loss of 35 lives, including 18 firefighters, is a stark reminder of the growing intensity and danger of wildfires in South Africa,” said Trevor Abrahams, managing director of Working on Fire (WoF). “This isn’t just a statistic, it’s a call to action. We must prioritise proactive measures like firebreaks, fuel-load reduction, and early-warning systems.”
The overwhelming majority of fires continue to be caused by human activity due to carelessness or disregard for fire safety, according to the WoF-Kishugu Joint Venture (WoF-Kishugu JV).
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WoF-Kishugu JV has increased its proactive strategies, particularly in vulnerable areas outside of peak fire seasons.
“Our teams are working year-round to reduce fuel loads and remove invasive plant species like Lantana and pompom weed, which not only worsen fires, but also harm local ecosystems,” said Nokuthula Medupe, a firefighter based at the Abe Bailey Nature Reserve in Gauteng.
WoF – Kishugu JV reported attending to 2 529 wildfires last winter, the highest number in a decade.
While their crews continue to perform heroically, Abrahams stressed the need for greater investment.
“Our firefighters are doing extraordinary work under difficult conditions. We must ensure they have the proper equipment, training, and support to meet the growing threat.”
Bernice Swarts, deputy minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), said the increasing threat posed by veld and wildland fires highlights the need for coordinated efforts from landowners, Fire Protection Associations (FPAs), communities, Provincial District Municipality Centres (PDMCs) and district municipalities to prevent and manage fires.
“The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, in line with its mandate under the National Veld and Forest Fire Act 101 of 1998, emphasises that veld fire management is a shared responsibility.”
She said primary accountability for fire preparedness, prevention, and response rested with landowners, farmer owners and local government entities.
“Farm owners are urged to be members of their local FPAs, as required by the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, and to implement fire management strategies, such as establishing fire breaks and maintaining firefighting equipment.
“FPAs are vital statutory organisations established to coordinate firefighting and prevention efforts among members and across their areas of jurisdiction. In addition to creating fire management plans, FPAs play a critical role in fire response and protection of property and livelihoods. The DFFE supports these associations by developing strategies to strengthen their capacity, alongside providing financial resources, planning assistance, and access to the WoF programme.”
She said the WoF programme served as a secondary responder, offering skilled manpower and equipment to complement local fire management efforts.
“The programme has established 231 bases nationally, including 16 in North West, employing 350 firefighters. While WoF provides crucial firefighting support, it is not the sole firefighting authority and is meant to bolster local and provincial capacity, which remains primarily responsible for direct fire management.
Swarts urged local communities, municipalities, and FPAs to remain proactive and vigilant in their fire preparedness efforts.
