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Environment
Stefaan Conradie, PhD student, University of Cape Town

How vulnerable is the University of Cape Town to destructive wildfires?

A water chopper hovers over University of Cape Town on April 18, 2021 as a wildfire spread across the mountain. Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images

Just over a year ago, a wildfire caused considerable damage to the University of Cape Town and surroundings. Irreplaceable African collections were destroyed. The last active windmill in Africa was severely damaged. Many were surprised by the fire and the widespread damage it caused.

Two previous autumn fires in March 2001 and March 2009 approached the university campus. The 2009 fire even scorched some trees on the campus boundary.

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