Wildfires

Invasive weeds are a major contributor to the growing wildfire threat across the United States. Unlike many native plants that are adapted to specific fire cycles or are spaced out on the landscape, these non-native species often create a continuous and highly flammable fuel bed. Invasive grasses, in particular, are notorious for their rapid growth and quick cure time. They emerge and dry out much earlier in the season than native vegetation, providing a fine, dry tinder that can easily ignite and spread fire. This effectively extends the fire season, increasing the window of time for a fire to start and become a major conflagration.

The proliferation of invasive weeds also creates a destructive cycle. The fires fueled by these weeds are often more intense and frequent than the historical fire regimes of a given area. This increased fire activity harms or eliminates native plants, which are not equipped to handle these conditions. Bare ground left in the wake of a fire is then a perfect environment for invasive species to colonize. This leads to a landscape increasingly dominated by flammable weeds, which in turn leads to more frequent and severe fires.