Experimental burn being conducted by NPS/USGS crews on a cheatgrass infested site in the Kings Canyon / Cedar Grove area of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The burn is part of a study by the USGS Southern Sierra Field Station, funded by the JFSP, to investigate ecological characteristics of this highly invasive species. They will look at the role of fire and other disturbance on its establishment and spread and at potential management options for either controlling or limiting its establishment in new areas.

NPS resource staff have recently noticed significant increases of this exotic species at several locations in the park. There is particular concern because cheatgrass is an aggressive competitor and is highly flammable. Thus it can be detrimental to many natives by either causing shifts in fire regimes (usually increasing fire frequency or changing season of burns) or through direct competition.

The image shows crews igniting a 5x5 m plot (one of several hundred). Soil and ground surface temperatures are being monitored by thermocouples attached to data loggers and a laptop computer. © NPS photo by Ted Young.