Disaster Management module

Wildfire risk & damage

Fire danger driven by a vegetation dryness index and recent rainfall deficit, with burn-scar mapping and vegetation recovery tracking for recent events.

Provinces at very high / extreme

4

Fire events assessed

5

Total burned area

31 730 ha

Largest single event

12 240 ha

National fire danger

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  • Low
  • Moderate
  • High
  • Very High
  • Extreme
  • Recent fire event

Seasonal fire risk outlook

ProvinceCurrentDryness indexRain deficit30 days60 days90 days
Western CapeModerate44/1008%ModerateHighVery High
Free StateExtreme88/10041%ExtremeVery HighHigh
Northern CapeVery High81/10052%Very HighHighHigh
Eastern CapeHigh69/10027%HighHighModerate
KwaZulu-NatalVery High76/10022%Very HighModerateLow
MpumalangaHigh66/10018%HighModerateLow
LimpopoModerate51/1006%ModerateModerateLow
GautengHigh63/10015%HighModerateLow
North WestVery High78/10034%Very HighHighModerate

Post-fire damage assessment

  • Eastern Free State veld fire

    Pre-fire danger: Extreme

    Free State · Aug 2026 · Grazing veld and crop residue

    12 240 ha burned · vegetation index 0.340.12 (-65%)

  • Amathole ridge fire

    Pre-fire danger: High

    Eastern Cape · Jul 2026 · Thicket and communal grazing

    2 180 ha burned · vegetation index 0.530.26 (-51%)

  • Drakensberg grassland fire

    Pre-fire danger: Very High

    KwaZulu-Natal · Jul 2026 · Montane grassland

    5 130 ha burned · vegetation index 0.480.21 (-56%)

  • Mpumalanga plantation fire

    Pre-fire danger: High

    Mpumalanga · Jun 2026 · Timber plantation

    3 760 ha burned · vegetation index 0.710.29 (-59%)

  • Outeniqua fynbos fire

    Pre-fire danger: Extreme

    Western Cape · Feb 2026 · Fynbos and commercial plantation

    8 420 ha burned · vegetation index 0.620.17 (-73%)

Vegetation health before vs after fire