# Rwenzori wildfire first in 12,000 years, study finds

2026-08-07T10:42:06+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

A study published in *Nature* has found that a 2012 wildfire in the Rwenzori Mountains, burning 42 square kilometres of alpine moorland, was the first such blaze in at least 12,000 years. Researchers analysed sediment cores from two lakes and discovered a charcoal spike more than 100 times greater than any recorded in the previous 12 millennia. The higher-altitude Lake Kopello core showed virtually no fire evidence for 12,000 years until 2012. In contrast, the lower Lake Mahoma core revealed regular charcoal deposits starting 2,000 years ago, coinciding with human activity. Scientists say climate change and human influence are exposing Africa's unique 'sky island' ecosystems to a new threat. The Rwenzori alpine vegetation evolved without fire, making it particularly vulnerable to blazes that now also strike Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/in-2012-a-wildfire-scorched-42-sq-km-of-the-rwenzori-alpine-zone-lake-cores-showed-it-was-the-first-large-scale-fire-there-in-12000-years-with-charcoal-jumping-over-100-fold/articleshow/133029952.cms>

Tags: Africa, climate change, lake sediments, Rwenzori Mountains, wildfires
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/rwenzori-wildfire-was-first-major-fire-in-12000-years/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/rwenzori-wildfire-was-first-major-fire-in-12000-years/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.