BLM to combat invasive grasses with aerial herbicide treatments

Oregon-Washington
Media Contact
Lisa McNee

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – This fall, The Bureau of Land Management will conduct aerial herbicide applications to reduce the spread of invasive annual grasses and wildfire threat across about 12,000 acres of lands managed by the BLM. From Aug. 11 to Dec. 31, the BLM will treat areas in Lake and Klamath counties, shielding communities and improving wildlife habitat by restoring native plants and reducing flashy fuels that increase wildfire threat. 

Aerial herbicide treatments

 

“Invasive annual grasses are one of the most serious threats to the health of our public lands in eastern Oregon,” said Todd Forbes, Lakeview District Manager. “These aerial treatments are a critical tool in our efforts to restore resilient native plant communities, reduce wildfire risk, and support long-term rangeland health. We appreciate the public’s awareness and cooperation as we carry out this important work.”

Areas treated in Lake County:

Areas treated in Klamath County:

A combination of fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft will be used to apply herbicides, depending on site conditions. These treatments target invasive species such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), medusahead rye (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), and North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia), which can outcompete native vegetation and lead to grass-dominated landscapes more vulnerable to wildfires.

The herbicides planned for use include Imazapic, a pre-emergent, selective herbicide, and Glyphosate, a non-selective, post-emergent herbicide that may be used where needed. Because most native perennial grasses and forbs are dormant this time of year, they are generally unaffected by these applications.

Signs will be posted at roads entering active project areas. Each site may take up to two weeks to treat, depending on weather conditions. The BLM encourages the public to avoid camping or traveling through areas during active operations to allow crews to complete treatments safely and efficiently.

For more information, contact Oliver Liu, Invasive Annual Grass Fuels Specialist, at 541-576-9416, or Kerry Johnston, Botanist, at 541-885-4136.

Related Files

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.