Cape Town’s beautiful green spaces hide a dangerous secret: many of its exotic plants like palms, pines, and cypresses catch fire easily and help wildfires spread quickly. Unlike native plants, which resist burning, these imported trees have dry, oily leaves that act like kindling during hot, dry, and windy weather. This risk grows worse with climate change, turning lovely neighborhoods into wildfire hotspots. To protect the city, people are now rethinking gardens, favoring firesafe native plants that keep both nature and residents safe. Cape Town’s story shows how caring for urban nature means balancing beauty with smart safety.
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