2012 wildfire was Rwenzori alpine zone’s first major fire in 12,000 years

In 2012, a wildfire swept across Africa’s Rwenzori Mountains, marking the first such event in over 12,000 years. Analysis of lake sediments uncovered a significant charcoal marker linked to this fire, indicating that human actions and climate change are altering these delicate mountain ecosystems. The lower slopes reveal early human impact and ongoing forest shifts, highlighting the escalating threats to the fragile Afroalpine environments.