011FOCUS
As South Africa heads into another fire season, communities in KwaZulu-Natal are proving that preparation and education can make all the difference when it comes to protecting lives, livestock and livelihoods.
For years, many rural communities have faced the threat of devastating veld fires with limited resources and little access to formal fire management systems. Now, a partnership between Meat Naturally Africa and the Vryheid Fire Protection Association (FPA) is helping to change that.
Bridging the Gap Between Communities and Fire Management
Farmer-owned social enterprise Meat Naturally Africa recently became a member of the Vryheid FPA, creating a pathway for 15 rural communities around Vryheid to access vital fire information and support.
The move means communities now receive daily Fire Danger Index (FDI) forecasts, giving residents an early warning system and helping them understand when conditions are high risk.
“The direct, immediate benefit we’re getting from the Vryheid FPA is daily Fire Danger Index forecasts,” says Guy Deacon, Technical Director and co-founder of Meat Naturally Africa.
“Every day, communities get the fire risk information and guidance on what they should and shouldn’t be doing. Prevention is better than suppression.”
The Fire Danger Index takes into account factors such as temperature, humidity and wind speed to determine the likelihood and potential severity of fires.
Fire Is Everyone’s Problem
According to Deacon, more than 95% of fires are started by human activity, meaning fire prevention cannot rest solely with farmers.
“A lot of fires come from villages themselves,” he explains. “If you’re only focusing on farmers putting in firebreaks, you’re not tackling where the ignitions are happening. It’s everybody’s problem.”
As a result, Meat Naturally Africa’s approach extends beyond grazing land and includes schools, traditional authorities and wider communities.
Residents are taught how to assess risks, create fire management plans and take practical steps to protect homes and grazing areas.
A Growing Need Across South Africa
Since launching its community-based fire management programme in 2021, Meat Naturally Africa has expanded its work to 180 communities and associations managing restoration across 580,000 hectares of communal rangelands.
Ironically, improved land restoration can increase the risk of wildfires.
“When communities started improving their rangelands, we actually saw higher fire risk because they had more fuel loads,” says Deacon.
“So we brought in firebreaks and other measures to help manage that.”
Women Are Playing an Increasing Role
The organisation is also working to bring more women into wildfire prevention efforts.
Through its Women in Wool and Wildfire initiative, female small-stock farmers are being encouraged to participate in fire committees and awareness programmes.
“It seemed like it was only men dealing with fires and we wanted to encourage women to be part of the solution, because fire is a responsibility for everyone,” says Moses Kibi, Meat Naturally Africa’s Fire Management and Soil Conservation Coordinator.
“There are women in those areas who are now actively burning firebreaks.”
The initiative aims to not only strengthen wildfire prevention but also create more opportunities for women in livestock farming and wool production.
Lives and Livelihoods Protected
Five years into its fire management work, Meat Naturally Africa says the impact is already being seen on the ground.
“There has been a significant reduction in infrastructure lost, animals lost and people lost,” says Deacon.
“Communities now have the tools, the response systems and plans in place to actually combat fires. That’s a profound shift.”
No Community Should Face Fire Season Alone
Looking ahead, Meat Naturally Africa hopes the communities it supports around Vryheid will eventually secure their own membership within the Fire Protection Association, giving them direct access to training, equipment and support.
“We can’t remove the risk,” says Deacon.
“But we can reduce it. And that starts with making sure that no community faces the next fire season alone.”
Why This Matters
As South Africa experiences increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, wildfire prevention has become a growing concern across the country. Initiatives that empower communities with knowledge and practical tools can help reduce the devastating impact of veld fires while protecting people, livestock and precious natural resources.
Leave a Reply