Fire management in Zimbabwe to protect forests and livelihoods

At Working for Bees in Zimbabwe, our recent community-based natural resources projects have identified fire as a major threat. We have seen that these communities play an important role in fire management however our experience has shown that in many community-based projects, fire management has not been addressed.

This has resulted in less effective fire management and an increased fire risk to the forest. Our belief is that fire prevention and control are important to save lives, protect property, ensure business continuity, comply with legal regulations, and safeguard the environment by stopping or minimizing the spread of fires.

Fire fighting in progress

Fires are the number one cause of forest destruction thereby affecting sustainable forest management (SFM). Forest fire prevention and control is important because there is need to conserve the forest and promote the forest as a key source of community livelihoods. The livelihoods come in the form of non-timber forest products (NTFP) such as mushroom, honey, edible worms, medicinal herbs, fruits, seeds and fibre.

Our Bees and Trees project, funded by Bees for Development has an integrated approach to fire management where communities are engaged in decision making and implementation.

Participants during the fire management training

Morat sharing with participants the topic on fire and fire behaviour

We do community fire training using an integrated and inclusive approach where key characteristics such as the holistic view, interconnectedness, unified action and improved outcomes are considered. Most of our fire management training sessions address the key objectives of protecting the forest and fighting forest fires. Our model of approach favors the indigenous fire management practices, on-site training and demonstrations using the simplest tools and equipment to fight fires at community level. Training is done in the forest and exposes trainees to an environment that has trees, vegetation and bees to look after.

As fire management trainers, we put emphasis on addressing the underlying causes and seek long-term, sustainable solutions that focus on the five Rs: Research, Risk reduction, Readiness, Response and Recovery. When it comes to READINESS in our communities, we always think about the fire equation summarized as follows.

Pre-suppression planning + Early detection + Quick Response in Extended attack mode = SMALL FIRES

Fire fighting in progress

Fire is under control and mopping up activity is taking place

Through training of the communities and women groups on fire prevention and control, positive impacts are being realized. These include public safety, economic stability and environmental protection. These are a proactive approach to mitigating the devastating consequences of fire. The 50 participants trained can construct fire guards, and fight forest fires competently.

We experienced during this fire season (July to October) two big fires that our trained community personnel managed to fight and put under control. Some areas that were affected by the fire had ring weeded trees and fireguards around them. Most trees in the area survived as they did not get direct heat since there was no fuel around the tree base. This was experienced in an area where some restoration work was done in the wetland. Effective fire prevention makes communities safer and more resilient by reducing the overall risk of fire-related emergencies and allowing residents to feel secure.

Fire prevention helps preserve forests, grasslands, and wildlife habitats from widespread devastation. This is important for maintaining biodiversity. Villagers around the forests who got trained by Working for Bees are showing a profound understanding of fire prevention and control and have participated voluntarily in fire management related issues.

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Practical fire fighting demonstration using simple tools