Forest fires in South Africa during the past year have destroyed 4.5 million tons of timber and cost the economy about R3bn through loss of production of pulp and wood products.
Buyelwa Sonjica, the country’s water affairs and forestry minister, said 30,176ha of plantation had suffered serious fire damage. Financial loss to the plantations was estimated at R695.7m, while fire-fighting and replanting costs were around R227m.
The minister, speaking at the national council of provinces during a water affairs and forestry policy review debate, said she wanted to expand commercial forestry, especially in the Eastern Cape.
She said her department was formulating a plan to address obstacles which were hindering forestry expansion in the region.
