Buffelgrass
Information Center
June 4, 2008
Northwest Explorer:
Staving off buffelgrass's burn
Researchers use prescribed fire to study invasive weed and ways to lessen damage it creates. As the flames spread, the clumps of brown grass withered into slick, black mounds. Several mesquite trees, which seemed to withstand the blaze cut ominous shapes in the thick smoke. Firefighters emerged from the haze, flames licking the air behind them as they marched down the length of the field, some 50 or so feet between each man.For more on this story, click on or type the URL below:
http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/06/04/news/doc4845e263db394602236265.txt
Pima Association of Governments adopts Resolution Declaring Saturday, March 1, 2008 as 'Buffelgrass Eradication Day.' On October 25, 2007, the Pima Association of Government's (PAG) Regional Council adopted a resolution declaring Saturday, March 1, 2008 as 'Buffelgrass Eradication Day." This event will be coordinated by PAG and the goal is to motivate hundreds of volunteers to engage in a county-wide effort to remove buffelgrass on a single day. The challenge that buffelgrass poses is unique and serious. This invasive, non-native plant has the potential to change our local ecology in dramatic ways. The word 'infestation' best characterizes the nature of this challenge. It is going to be a long-term challenge and groups like Weedwhackers are on the right track. The problem is the scale of the challenge - we need to motivate many more individuals to get involved. Buffelgrass Eradication Day is intended to draw many more groups into the fight and to create an enhanced community awareness. A page on this website will be established to highlight the event and to identify specific areas for volunteer activity. Look for it right after the holidays, if not sooner!
April 26, 2007
Buffelgrass fire alert posted by SWCC . The Southwest Coordination Center (SWCC) is the interagency focal point for coordinating the mobilization of resources between Zones of the Southwest Area and, when necessary, the National Coordination Center in Boise, ID, for assignment throughout the U.S. Located in Albuquerque, NM, the Center mobilizes resources for wildland fire, wildland fire use, prescribed fire, and other all-risk incidents. In addition, the Center provides Predictive Services and Intelligence related-products in support of incident management decision-making for wildland fire managers and on-the-ground wildland firefighters. The fire alert for buffelgrass is an important milestone indicating that fire conditions are changing in the Sonoran Desert. Urban areas are affected as buffelgrass is encroaching on residential developments. Link to the SWCC alert
Buffelgrass Fires Emerge in Greater Tucson Area Buffelgrass populations are now doubling each year and are increasing the fire risk in the southern and central part of the state.All of these fires were fueled predominantly by buffelgrass. All three fires were called brush fires despite the fact that they were mostly grass fires; they were mostly fueled by the invader buffelgrass. On March 10th, Cong. Gabrielle Giffords spoke to the Sonoran Institute and her remarks included reference to the buffelgrass challenge: " Another example { of environmental challenges we face } is the un-natural catastrophic fires that threaten the Sonoran desert. The Sonoran desert is not a place accustomed to fire as some ecosystems are. Yet because exotic invasive grass species, such as buffelgrass, are expanding, the desert now burns. Unfortunately, cacti are not designed to survive fire so the result is serious injury to the land. In addition, these grasses create a continuous fuel source that can act as a "wick" that draws fire from the desert into grasslands and up into the forests. This is what happened during the 250,000 acre Cave Creek fire in 2005. It's tough to measure the total impact of these fires to our state, but we know that the costs are tremendous. By working together to care for our land and eradicate invasive species, we will not only save money and protect our environment, we will save lives."
- A fire broke out along the Union Pacific RR near Old Nogales and Sunday on March 12
- 10 acres was ignited by a 12-yr old boy just south of the Yaqui Reservation on March 14
- B uffelgrass lining I-19 mostly fueled a fire south of Green Valley on March 18
On March 29th, the Pima Association of Governments Regional Council adopted a resolution recognizing the threat posed by buffelgrass and encouraging greater engagement.
Volunteers take on invasive weed KVOA, March 1, 2008
Saguaros under siege from non-native plant Tucson Citizen, February 29, 2008
Residents pull together to eliminate bad grasses Tucson Citizen, February 29, 2008
Buffelgrass has potential to radically alter desert Arizona Daily Star, February 25, 2008
Weedwackers in High Country News, August 20, 2007
Fire Restrictions In Effect, Vail Sun, July 12, 2007
Buffelgrass Threatens Desert, Arizona Daily Star, July 12, 2007
Buffelgrass fuel loads in Saguaro National Park, Arizona, increase fire danger and threaten native species, Park Science, Winter 2007-2007