MIDVAAL. – Friends of Suikerbosrand, a group dedicated to protecting and publicizing the reserve in partnership with the Gauteng department of agriculture and rural development, reports that while uncontrolled fires have the potential to destroy lives and infrastructure, some of the area was ready for ecological burning. Highveld sour grassland benefits from burning every 3-5 years as it quickly loses its nutritional value for animals. The reserve is currently open for visitors. Members of the public are urged not to smoke in the veld or discard stompies, so as to avoid uncontrolled fires within the reserve.