Resumo. The monitoring of the tree-shrub Cerrado sensu stricto was conducted in two permanent plots, 1.25 ha each, in Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil from 1988 to 2012 throughout seven times. Fire was set in August biennially in Area 1 in 1988, 1990 and 1992. Area 2 was protected against fire until July 1994. There was an accidental burning in August 1994 in both areas, thereafter they were protected against fire until 2012. The diameter and height of trees and shrubs above or equal 1 m height were measured before fire setting. In 1988, it was measured only the height. The species diversity was analyzed by UPGMA. Density, frequency, dominance and floristic similarity were evaluated. Eighty-two (82) species were recorded in both areas, where 74 species, in 35 families, occurred in Area 1 and, 73 species, in 34 families, in Area 2. From 1988 to 1994, both areas presented differences in the diversity and in the floristic similarity. In 2012, both areas showed floristic similarity, but the diversity was greater in Area 1. The tree-shrub vegetation was resistant and resilient to fire. Fire reduced the density and the basal area, but when fire was absent, both of them increased. Distributions of living plants in height and diameter classes did not differ significantly in both areas. Fire affects primarily individuals in the smaller classes of height and diameter.