National Veld and Forest Fire Act: Strategy Published and Draft Regulations Released for Comment

Posted 11 September 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Environmental Law

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment has published four regulatory instruments under the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, No. 101 of 1998, comprising a finalized national strategy and three sets of draft regulations out for public comment.

Under the statutory framework established by the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, No. 101 of 1998, the Department has finalized the National Fire Protection Associations Strategy, following its initial publication in draft form in October 2024. Concurrently, the Minister has issued three draft regulatory proposals intended to amend, replace, or establish procedural mechanisms governing veld fire management and fire protection associations (FPAs).

Overview of Published Instruments

  • National Fire Protection Associations Strategy: Establishes a national support framework for the formation, capacity building, and operational support of fire protection associations across South Africa.
  • Draft Amendments to the 2003 Regulations: Proposes substantive revisions to the prevailing regulatory provisions governing the establishment and joining of an FPA, alongside related ministerial administrative obligations.
  • Draft National Veld Fire Appeal Regulations: Establishes formal procedures governing the submission, processing, and adjudication of statutory appeal applications and administrative decisions issued under the Act.
  • Draft Guidelines and Exemption Procedures: Proposes a standardized colour-coded fire danger rating system and sets out specific criteria and procedural requirements for applying for exemptions from prohibitions on the lighting, using, and maintaining of open-air fires in high and extreme risk zones. Once finalized, these guidelines will repeal and replace the 2013 regulations.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Environmental law and compliance practitioners must review the proposed appeal mechanisms and exemption criteria to advise landowners and commercial clients on compliance with open-air fire restrictions.
  • For your business: Commercial forestry companies, agricultural practices, and industrial landholders must align operational risk management procedures with the proposed colour-coded fire danger rating thresholds and review FPA membership statuses.
  • For your clients: Landowners and designated landowners in high-risk zones face revised statutory criteria when lodging appeals or seeking formal ministerial exemptions to maintain open-air fires or conduct controlled burns.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/veld-fire-management-national-support-strategy-published-three-sets-of-proposals-out-for-comment

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