Invasive Grass News Today

An invasive grass that first came to the United States from Asia 70 years ago is growing out of control in Pasco County.

Last week, experts from the US Forest Service wrapped up ignition training by conducting a field exercise on former agriculture lands in south Kaua‘i. Hundreds of acres here are covered in invasive grasses, the most common fuel for wildfire in Hawai‘i. Some 25% of the land across the state is covered by these grasses, adding to the overall potential for devastating wildfires.

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK—Laura Jones spoke from the grassy flats at the base of Blacktail Butte, a place where Mormon settlers made a go at homesteading the 6,600-foot-high heart of

The discoveries were made over more than 50 days of fieldwork conducted across the state.

Various unfortunate events have been some blaming climate change. The Maui fire, Canadian wildfires, years of California wildfires and food inflation.

After a catastrophic wildfire that killed more than 100 people in Hawaii, eyes have turned toward an unexpected culprit: invasive grass species that have spread massively over the archipelago for decades, serving as the perfect fuel.

Scientists hope that the development of the so-called “low-tech option” against cheatgrass could mitigate or bring an end to wildland fires plaguing the region.