The Nevada County Resource Conservation District (NCRCD) was recently awarded a Wildfire Prevention Grant from CAL FIRE to use prescribed fire to reduce fuel hazard on two ranches impacted by highly flammable invasive grasses and scotch broom. 

Supporting agriculture in Nevada County has been a key part of the RCD since its formation in the 1940’s. Then, prescribed burning was used to improve forage on ranches, burning small trees and shrubs that shade out grass. Currently, the RCD is leading long-term planning for sustainable agriculture in the future in the county. Maintaining and conserving the ranches that we currently have is a key part of this effort. Conservation includes making ranches resilient to fire and productive for agriculture. 

The CAL FIRE grant focuses on barbed goatgrass because it is a growing threat to ranches and other areas in the county. Barbed goatgrass not only provides poor forage and potential harm to livestock, it is also highly flammable. 

Research by the University of California has shown that prescribed burning is the most effective way to combat barbed goatgrass. But it must be burned in late spring or early summer, when the seeds have formed but not dropped. Burning at this time of year requires a higher level of expertise and fire control resources, especially in dense grass fields. This grant will provide the funds to cover professional fire crews to conduct the burns. Repeat burns two years in a row are required to control barbed goatgrass and the grant will cover both. 

Highly invasive scotch broom reduces forage for cattle on ranches and is also highly flammable. A second area on a ranch will be burned with large fields of dense, tall scotch broom. This will not be the only treatment needed, since scotch broom can sprout back and seeds in the soil germinate after fire. Prescribed burning can be the first step to reduce fuel hazard and clear the way for follow-up treatments. 

Nevada County Resource Conservation is proud to be your local partner in prescribed burning. To receive the latest information from the RCD on workshops, trainings, and resources, sign up for RX Fire News here or at NCRCD.org/prescribed-fire.