South Africa faces growing wildfire crisis as Fire Protection Associations warn of government failures

A report from the South Africa‘s North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) highlights the widespread damage caused by veld fires in 2024.

The report, as noted in an article on Business Tech, states that 424,172 hectares of land were burned between 1 January and 16 December, with 189 fires recorded in November alone.

The financial impact has been estimated at R3.03 billion, accounting for both direct and indirect costs.

These fires have destroyed agricultural land, infrastructure, and vehicles, displacing communities and raising concerns over food security.

Fire Protection Associations (FPAs) in South Africa argue that the government has not provided adequate resources to prevent and manage these fires.

Under the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (NVFFA), FPAs are responsible for wildfire risk management but say they face critical shortages in funding, staff, and equipment.

FPAs criticise lack of government support

Eric Stoch, Chairman of the North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association (NWUFPA), described the situation as a national security crisis.

He said: “Leaving these essential resources to deteriorate in central storage facilities while communities face unprecedented fire risks… borders on criminal intent and demands immediate investigation.”

Stoch claims that municipal and national authorities have not provided the necessary support to FPAs, leaving fire departments understaffed and without adequate operational vehicles.

He stated that mismanagement within the disaster management sector has worsened the situation.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has rejected these allegations, maintaining that it operates as a regulatory authority rather than a primary fire management service.

Delayed emergency responses raise concerns

The NWUFPA has reported several instances where fire departments were unable to respond effectively to fires.

In one case, a farm worker died fighting a runaway fire in JB Marks Local Municipality.

Stoch said: “Our available resources were completely overwhelmed by the scale and number of fires.

“Despite our urgent requests for aid and assistance, our pleas were disregarded.”

He also noted cases where a fire department refused to respond to a village fire, claiming they only handled structural fires in town.

Another municipality had to rely on the FPA due to a lack of operational vehicles, while in Lichtenburg, fire trucks arrived without water.

Government defends fire response strategy

DFFE Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts dismissed the criticism, saying the department works in collaboration with landowners, FPAs, and local authorities to manage fire risks.

Swarts stated: “Any extensions to the fire season or increased local resources require collaboration between landowners, FPAs, local and provincial authorities, as DFFE’s resources are allocated equitably across the country.”

Reports indicate that a fleet of 278 fire trucks and crew buses operated by Working on Fire has been left unused in depots for up to two years.

The DFFE maintains that these vehicles have been distributed to district municipalities, but some municipal authorities claim they were unaware of any allocations.

Swarts said consultations with Provincial Disaster Management Centres and municipalities are ongoing to finalise the transfer of fire vehicles.

South Africa faces growing wildfire crisis as Fire Protection Associations warn of government failures: Summary

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported that 424,172 hectares of land were burned in South Africa’s North West province in 2024.

Fire Protection Associations (FPAs) claim that the government has not provided adequate support, leaving fire departments understaffed and without sufficient resources.

The North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association (NWUFPA) has criticised municipal and national authorities for delays in emergency responses, citing cases where fire services arrived late or without necessary equipment.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has denied these claims, stating that resources are distributed equitably and that local collaboration is essential.

Reports suggest that hundreds of fire trucks have been left unused in depots, though the DFFE insists they have been allocated to municipalities.

The NWUFPA has called for immediate action, including direct funding to FPAs, the release of withheld fire prevention funds, and the allocation of fire vehicles directly to FPAs rather than municipalities.