2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 20

Jay Davison, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, 111 Sheckler Road, Fallon, NV 89406-8951; 775.428.0202; jdavison@agnt1.ag.unr.edu; and Ed Smith, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box 338, Minden, NV 89423; 775.782.9960; esmith@agnt1.ag.unr.edu

An important key to people living more safely in high wildfire hazard environments is the proper modification and management of adjacent wildland vegetation. Wildfire behavior is determined by weather, topography, and fuel. Of these, the only component that can be readily modified is fuel (i.e., vegetation). A study was initiated near Carson City, Nevada to determine the effectiveness and practicality of controlled sheep grazing to modify fuels along an urban/wildland interface area. The study was a collaborative effort between Cooperative Extension, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Carson City Fire Department, and Nevada Division of Forestry. In May 1999, 350 ewes grazed a 2.5-mile long, 150-200-foot wide corridor bounded by electric fence. The corridor was cross-fenced to create 20 ?mini pastures? in which high-intensity, short duration grazing concepts were applied. Depending upon grazing intensity and vegetation type, sheep reduced standing fine fuel load in amounts ranging from 765 lbs./acre to 2,622 lbs./acre. Results of a survey of adjacent homeowners indicated a preference for sheep grazing over other methods to make fuelbreaks and overwhelming support for the continued use of sheep for fire threat reduction projects in the neighborhoods. The project received national media attention through the Paul Harvey radio program, Sports Afield magazine, an article by nationally syndicated columnist Baxter Black, and the Associated Press. Project results suggest that controlled sheep grazing can be a useful and preferred tool to create fuelbreaks near residential areas.