On July 17, an unplanned fire raged through Melville Koppies.

It isn’t clear how the fire started, but it soon spread through the nature reserve and into Melville Koppies East, burning the grassland as it went.

MSI (CREASS) and fire trucks from Roodepoort and Florida finally brought it under control in the late afternoon.

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Jenny Grice, Melville Koppies volunteer, said residents were concerned about what would happen to the fauna and the flora that had been scorched.

“Grasslands have been on earth for about 30 million years. They need to be burnt, especially in a small nature reserve like Melville Koppies, which has no large consumers, like buck.

“If grasslands are not burnt, the decaying bits of grass and other plants smother new grass shoots as well as the myriad of little plants that grow amongst the grass and then forests take over.

“Grassland plants have had millions of years to adapt to fire. Many of them store their food underground in bulbs and thick, woody root systems or die back in winter months.

“Others need fire or smoke to stimulate seed germination.

“Even little insects and mammals find a way to escape the fire – flying insects move ahead of the fire, termites go deep inside their termitaries, mice, mole rats, snakes and hedgehogs retreat underground.”

Is the Koppies still beautiful now that it has been scorched?

“We think so,” Jenny said.

“It’s show-time for the rocks that are normally hidden under the grass. Soon the little green shoots of the grass will start appearing, and in springtime, the grassland flowers will bloom.

“It’s all part of the circle of life of the grasslands that’s been happening for millions of years.”

Follow them on social media (#melvillekoppies) to see how the Koppies recover after the fire.

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When to visit

Melville Koppies is open every Sunday from 08:00 to 11:30.

Entry is R100 for adults, R50 for under 18s and under fives get in free.

Book a guided tour to learn more about how the fauna and flora adapt to fire, come for storytelling on the second Sunday of the month or join the last Sunday of the month 8km hike. All income generated by visitors is used to maintain the Koppies.

Extra security is provided on Sundays. Park (or Uber drop-off) at Marks Park, Judith Road, Emmarentia.

For more details go to: www.mk.org.za, call 066 571 9539 or email friendsofmelvillekoppies@gmail.com