Changes in composition and structure of fynbos plant communities after an experimental fire in the Zachariashoek research area near Paarl, Cape Province, were assessed by means of a sample of 31 fixed 50 m2 quadrats before the burn in November 1971 and again six years later.Results show little change in vegetation between 1971 and 1977. The mean number of species per plot did not differ significantly nor did evenness or dominance concentration. composition as measured in each plot by the relative cover-abundance of species changed by about 33% on average but when measured by species presence and absence the change amounted to some 50%. Such apparent compositional changes were however ascribed principally to misidentification of rare species and other observer errors, and local small shifts in distributional patterns, because the frequency and mean relative cover of prominent species changed little. No major changes in vegetation structure, i.e. canopy height, cover, and growth form composition, were apparent, though canopy cover seemed to decline somewhat and seed-regenerating shrubs were slightly reduced in importance.Communities had already been subject to artificial disturbance before the burn and are therefore not likely to have represented the naturally prevalent vegetation of the area.Thus although the vegetation largely recovered its pre-burn condition within six years this would not necessarily be the case in pristine or nearly pristine fynbos.