The Humboldt-Toiyabe NF To Use Sheep to Create Fuelbreak

Carson City, NV; April 6, 2015 –This week sheep will begin grazing cheatgrass on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Carson Ranger District to help create a fuelbreak along the wildland-urban interface on the west side of Carson City.

The grazing will occur until the end of the cheatgrass growing season on National Forest System lands just west of Reno, Nevada, in and around Thomas Creek and Whites Creek within the Arrowhawk Fuels Reduction Project.  
“Cheatgrass has the potential to completely alter the ecosystem it invades, which alters fire regimes. Taking a proactive approach to removing excess non-native vegetation using sheep will reduce catastrophic wildland fire hazard in the area, which is especially critical given ongoing drought conditions,” said Carson District Ranger Irene Davidson.

Borda Land and Sheep Company of Gardnerville, Nevada, are providing approximately 800 ewes that two herders and their dogs will monitor. The Nevada Division of Forestry will provide water at predetermined locations. The sheep will be removed once the cheatgrass has begun to cure (turn purple). 

Those visiting the area are asked to keep their dogs leashed at all times. Livestock guard dogs present with the sheep instinctively protect the herd from any form of predator seen as a threat.

For more information on the project, contact Carson Ranger District Fuels Specialist Steve Howell at 775- 884-8114.