A growing wildfire threat is simmering beneath Cape Town’s picturesque urban greenery, and it’s not just climate change driving it.
New research has revealed that some of the city’s most beloved exotic plants may be acting as kindling in fire-prone zones.
Scientists from the University of Cape Town’s Department of Biological Sciences have found that ornamental plants, especially those not native to South Africa, possess flammable characteristics that dramatically increase fire risks in urban areas, as per the Mail & Guardian. Their study, set to appear in the September issue of the South African Journal of Botany, draws a direct line between plant leaf traits and wildfire intensity.
The findings are rooted in a forensic-style examination of the 2021 Table Mountain wildfire. Researchers analysed 42 plant species, a mix of native and exotic, and identified key characteristics that affect how plants catch and sustain fire. While native species tend to smoulder at lower temperatures, exotic species were found to ignite quicker and burn hotter, thanks to traits like thinner leaves, larger surface areas, and greater oil content.
Lead author Dunja MacAlister explained that the problem is compounded by Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate, which now experiences more extreme weather fluctuations due to climate change. While winter rains may bring relief, increased evaporation in the hotter months causes vegetation to dry out faster, turning urban gardens into fuel beds.
The Table Mountain fire, which torched more than 650 hectares and damaged university buildings, was accelerated by the presence of exotic vegetation such as the Canary Island date palm and the stone pine. These species, commonly used for landscaping, retain dry foliage and have structures that trap embers, a deadly combination in windy conditions.
Even long-standing firebreaks proved ineffective during that blaze, as wind-driven embers jumped barriers like highways and sports fields, igniting spot fires up to 350 metres away.
Senior researcher Muthama Muasya added that similar exotic plants have become a fire risk in other Mediterranean regions, including California and parts of Europe. Trees such as cypress, Canary ivy, and cedar, known for their combustibility, have already been flagged in international fire management policies.
The study urges city planners and homeowners to rethink how green spaces are designed. Urban greening projects must now consider fire risk just as much as aesthetics or biodiversity. MacAlister pointed out that suburbs like Pinelands, lined with palms, pines, and thatched homes, are essentially tinderboxes waiting for a spark.
Fire mitigation, the authors argue, starts with replacing flammable exotic plants with native species adapted to the Western Cape’s climate. These not only lower fire risks but also support biodiversity, ecological resilience, and wildlife habitats.
But the shift won’t be easy. Removing dominant exotic species must be done carefully to prevent unintended consequences like soil erosion or habitat gaps. Restoration efforts must be guided, gradual, and accompanied by fire-smart policy changes at the municipal level.
Article shared by Cape Town ETC
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