Eswatini battling wildfires amidst climate crisis, invasive threats
By Zwelethu Dlamini
As wildfires devastate eSwatini’s landscapes, they’ve evolved from seasonal threats to a growing crisis. Fuelled by climate change and human activity, these fires are reshaping the environment, economy, and lives across the nation.
Government and environmentalists are raising alarms, calling for urgent action. A key example of wildfire damage is around Sibebe Rock, a significant tourist attraction, where fires have scorched the landscape, endangering the local economy and natural beauty. The threat extends beyond tourism, affecting agriculture, biodiversity, and public health.
On July 12, 2024, the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (ENFRES) issued a nationwide warning. “We appeal to the nation to desist from starting fires during this windy season, especially veld fires. This results in the loss of life and property, and the environment suffers from pollution. Our resources are being outstretched, rendering our efforts to keep a safe Eswatini meaningless,” the statement read. The ongoing fires have proven difficult to control, with more resources needed.
The peak fire season in Eswatini typically begins in early July and lasts for about 16 weeks. According to the Washington-based Global Forest Watch (GFW), 432 high-confidence fire alerts were reported between October 2023 and September 2024. “In 2010, Swaziland had 367 ha of natural forest, extending over 24% of its land area. In 2023, it lost 1.41 kha of natural forest, equivalent to 1.31 Mt of CO₂ emissions note the organisation. There were 64,639 deforestation alerts reported in Eswatini between May 1, 2024 and October 18, 2024, covering a total of 715ha of which 64% were high confidence alerts detected by a single system and none were alerts detected by multiple systems.
ENFRES on the other hand, noted that over one windy weekend in early July, the agency responded to 44 fires across the country. Major incidents were recorded in Manzini, Mbabane, Lobamba, and Nhlangano, and the damage has been particularly severe around key landmarks like Sibebe Rock. By mid-2024, ENFRES had recorded 367 wildfires, with 88 occurring in July alone.
Mandla Dlamini, ENFRES public relations officer, expressed frustration over the human negligence behind the rising fire incidents.
“In 2022, records show 420 incidents were attended to, in 2023 the number rose to 800, and in 2024, we have attended 1,013 fires,” he said, noting that the year’s statistics were not yet complete.
He said most of these fires are man-made and set deliberately and stressed the need for more advocacy in fire prevention.
This is Sibebe Rock May-Aug 2024 https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/19424805/
2024:Additional work accessing satellite data was provided by the Africa Data Hub Helpdesk, run by OpenUp.
Environmental Authority’s Concerns
Gcina Dladla, chief executive officer of the Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA), described the recent spike in veld fires as a disaster, particularly in urban areas.
“It has been really a disaster. This means the people in semi-urban and urban areas are a bit careless when it comes to fires,” Dladla noted.
He highlighted the inadequacies of the outdated Grass Fires Act of 1955, a colonial-era law with minimal penalties of only up to E200.
“We need legislation that recognizes the interconnectedness of the ministries involved,” he added, citing the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and the Eswatini Environmental Authority as key stakeholders.
Dladla also lamented the “bystander mentality” among the public.
“In the past, people would raise an alarm and help extinguish fires. But not anymore,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of fire-tracking tools and early mitigation strategies to reduce the damage, as climate change worsens the problem by increasing temperatures and altering rainfall patterns.
NDMA interventions
In response to the crisis, the NDMA has outlined several interventions aimed at building resilience. Its efforts include public education, risk mapping, and coordination with key stakeholders like ENFRES.
“We’re working with forest companies such as Montigny, Peak Timbers, and Shiselweni Forest to engage communities in proactive fire prevention measures,” said NDMA’s acting communications manager, Ntabeni Msibi.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The NDMA acknowledges a lack of firefighting tools and personnel. Firefighters report needing more advanced equipment like thermal imaging cameras and fire-resistant gear.
“There are still significant gaps in terms of firefighting equipment, personnel, and resources. While the NDMA and the ENFRES are at the forefront of the country’s wildfire response, the organizations face challenges in meeting the demands of increasingly severe wildfires. Expanding resource allocation, improving infrastructure, and enhancing capacity through partnerships and technological advancements are crucial for eSwatini’s long-term resilience to wildfires,” Msibi stated.
He said eSwatini’s preparedness to handle the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires is a growing concern, as climate change and human activities contribute to heightened wildfire risks.
The NDMA is also focusing on risk mapping, identifying fire-prone areas, and distributing post-disaster relief, including food parcels and temporary housing, to affected communities.
Economic and environmental costs
The environmental impact of wildfires is profound, especially in areas like Sibebe Rock, where fires have ravaged vegetation and infrastructure, causing a decline in tourism. By August 2024, fires had destroyed E2 billion worth of property and infrastructure, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. This includes homes, businesses, farms, and public infrastructure, leading to long-term economic strain from scorched farmlands and reduced agricultural yields.
Pastures under siege
Ecology Consultant Seth Maphalala of Indalo Eswatini pointed out that repeated fires are severely affecting the country’s rangelands, where invasive species are replacing traditional pastures. “Agriculture suffers, and if this continues, the nation may end up losing livestock, crops, and vegetables,” Maphalala warned.
He suggested a return to traditional collective burning practices, citing successful examples from KaShewula and Sitsatsaweni. Chiefs in these areas have implemented local laws prohibiting burning until the first rains arrive, demonstrating how local leadership can be key to fire management. Maphalala also recommended stricter enforcement of fire prevention laws, with stiffer penalties for violators, along with civic education to raise awareness of the long-term risks associated with improper fire use.
Solution
While Eswatini grapples with increasing wildfires, the path to resilience will require more than just firefighting. There must be stronger legislation, community involvement, and technological advancements to prevent future wildfires. Eswatini’s vulnerability to climate change and human negligence necessitates both traditional methods like collective burning and modern innovations to mitigate the damage. Only through coordinated national efforts can the country safeguard its environment, agriculture, and communities from future wildfires.
