20 Effective firebreak maintenance remains a legal obligation for forestry operations in South Africa and a cornerstone of responsible land management. In preparation for the 2026 fire season, many in the forestry industry have sought clarity on the current regulatory status of herbicides used as part of integrated fire management. Firebreak preparation is not optional. Under the Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998), landowners are required to prepare and maintain firebreaks to prevent the spread of veld fires and reduce risk to neighbouring properties, assets and lives. This obligation applies irrespective of the availability of specific tools or products. This article provides an update on the regulatory status of herbicide options currently under review, outlines what is legally permissible at present and offers practical guidance to support compliant, risk-based decision-making across the forestry industry. An integrated fire management approach to firebreaks Fire management, much like Integrated Pest Management (IPM), relies on a combination of tools and approaches, rather than a single solution. Thus, when deciding upon a firebreak maintenance option the following should be considered: • The site-specific fire hazard and risk. • Site-specific factors which could limit firebreak maintenance, including terrain, slope, and accessibility. • The environmental and social implications of both the options used for firebreak maintenance and the potential risk of a fire, if maintenance did not occur. • Operational feasibility and cost. • Available alternatives. • Long-term sustainability. Herbicides have historically formed part of integrated fire management in certain contexts, particularly where slope, terrain, or access limit the practicality of manual or mechanical methods for preparation. However, they are supporting measures, not replacements, and must be applied selectively, defensibly, and in compliance with applicable legislation. Chemical control options operators can use at present (current legal position) At the time of writing, glyphosate, where registered and used strictly in accordance with label instructions, remains the only herbicide legally available for firebreak or tracer belt preparation in forestry. No other herbicide products may be used for this purpose unless and until formal approval is granted. Use of any unregistered product or use outside label instructions constitutes illegal offlabel use under Act 36. It should be noted that only certain glyphosate products are registered under Act 36 for the preparation of tracer belts in forestry. While glyphosate is not ideal from an environmental perspective, it may be necessary in specific circumstances where manual or mechanical methods are operationally impractical or prohibitively expensive, and where fire risk is high. Where glyphosate is used, the following principles remain critical: Pesticide Options for Firebreak Maintenance INDUSTRY UPDATE FOR THE 2026 FIRE SEASON – Jacqui Meyer, Forestry South Africa (FSA) – – Timber Industry Pesticide Working Group (TIPWG) Coordinator –
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