Broker insight:
Safeguarding your farm against the rising threat of veld fires

 

In today’s farming world, one of the most severe and increasingly unpredictable dangers is veld fires, a threat that can destroy land, livestock, equipment, and livelihoods within hours.

 

If you farm in the northern provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, parts of Gauteng, or the Northeastern Free State, you know the risks first-hand. The veld fire season, usually running from May to November, is intensifying, driven by dry grasslands, high winds, unmanaged vegetation, and, often, human negligence.

 

Recent figures from Working on Fire (WoF) highlight the urgency of this problem. Last year, close to 4 million hectares, roughly double the size of the Kruger National Park, were burned across South Africa. December alone saw a 96% increase in veld fire incidents compared to the previous year, with out-of-season fires rising by 70%. Tragically, 34 lives were lost, including 18 firefighters, along with over 2 000 livestock and severe infrastructure damage occured.

 

You are not automatically protected

“It’s vital that farmers don’t assume they’re automatically protected,” warns Gerhard Diedericks, senior risk advisor at IntegriSure. “Many agri-policies do offer veld fire cover, but it is often structured as a cover extension to an agri-asset or crops policy.  It’s not a blanket guarantee, and importantly, you should familiarise yourself with the conditions of the fire cover extension to your policy.”

 

Diedericks explains that this cover typically includes protection against fire damage to crops, pastures, equipment, and farm buildings. Crucially, you should also ensure liability cover if a fire that started on your land spread to neighbouring lands. However, simply having the policy is not enough. “Insurers require farmers to comply with clear risk management conditions. That includes maintaining legal firebreaks, ensuring firefighting equipment is fully operational, and being an active member of your local Fire Protection Association (FPA), as the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998 (Act 101 of 1998) requires,” he says.

 

Training and technology

He further advises farmers to invest in staff training for basic firefighting techniques and to embrace technology tools like the Advanced Fire Information System (AFIS), a locally developed system that uses satellite data and weather models to detect heat sources across large areas. “AFIS gives farmers a crucial edge,” Diedericks adds. “You can receive near-instant SMS, email, or app alerts if a fire is approaching, giving you time to act before it’s too late.”

 

While organisations like WoF play a critical support role, Diedericks stresses that, “fire management ultimately starts with you. You are the frontline defender of your farm. Without proactive strategies, even the best insurance cover will fall short.”

 

Our final message is clear: As a proud RPO partner, IntegriSure wants to urge all RPO members to review their agri-policies. Understand exactly what you’re covered for, ensure you’re meeting all the risk management requirements, and verify that your sums insured accurately reflect your real exposure. Purposeful, informed preparation is the surest way to protect your land, your business, and your future.

 

Talk to an agri advisor at IntegriSure to review your policy, ensure you have adequate protection, and receive assistance with implementing effective risk management measures against veld fires.

Contact us at 010 271 2277 or business@integrisure.co.za.