Burning the table mountain: an environmental history of fire on the Cape Peninsula by Simon Pooley
ISBN: 9781775820017
University of Cape Town Press, 2014
Paperback, 313 pages
Explores the complex relationship between humans and fire on the Cape Peninsula, focusing on the fynbos biome and the iconic Table Mountain. The book traces this interaction from prehistory through European colonialism to the present, examining how fire was viewed and managed by indigenous people, colonial authorities, scientists, policymakers, and the public. It highlights the significant impact of fire on the region's ecosystem, the development of fynbos fire science and policy, and the social and ecological challenges posed by wildfires, such as the January 2000 fires that sparked controversy and debate.