Nelson Mandela University researcher Samukelisiwe Msweli (right), has pinpointed certain plants that ignite quickly and burn intensely, making fires more destructive.
Her findings provide crucial insights that can help homeowners, urban planners and environmental managers make informed decisions about landscaping and fire prevention.
“This is tangible information people can use immediately,” Msweli said.
“Many will recognise these shrubs and trees from their own gardens.”
Understanding the fire risks of different plant species can help communities take preventative measures, and ward off events such as the devastating Garden Route fires of November 2018 in which several people died.
Msweli conducted her research at the University’s George Campus, known as the green campus for its Natural Resource Science and Management Cluster and its extensive environmental research in service of society.
The study assessed the flammability of 30 woody species, many never studied before. It showed that invasive species such as pine, gum and wattle pose particularly high fire risks due to their rapid ignition and intense burning.
“Wattle not only carries fire but also drains water from the soil, and it is not indigenous to this area,” Msweli explained. “The high fire risk posed by these species needs to be considered in planting decisions and invasive plant-clearing efforts.”
In contrast, native thicket species in the region were found to be less flammable, offering a safer alternative for fire-conscious gardeners and planners.
“If a fire breaks out, what could buy you time?” Msweli asked.
She suggests simple steps such as choosing the right plants, keeping gutters clean of dry branches, sweeping up dry leaves, and maintaining a clear space around homes to help protect property and lives.
Msweli will now expand her research as part of her PhD at the University of Cape Town, where she will use satellite imaging to assess fire risks across landscapes.
“I've had great supervisors, including Dr Tineke Kraai and Prof Alastair Potts at Nelson Mandela University, and I am looking forward to working with Dr Jasper Slingsby at UCT,” she said.
“We will look at the vegetation and then remotely assess whether an area is at risk.
“If you know that these species burn like this, can you detect the risk of a whole area using satellite data? This would result in a landscape being deemed as low, medium or high flammability because of the plant species there.”
This work aims to integrate plant flammability insights into wildfire management strategies, helping communities better prepare for fire threats.
“Fire isn’t always the enemy – it is part of nature,” she said. “Fire has its uses but we need to learn how to live with it safely.”
By applying these findings, she hopes that communities can reduce fire hazards and protect both human life and biodiversity in the Garden Route and beyond.