Saguaro National Park teamed up with Tucson Water and the University of Arizona to conduct a 160-acre prescribed burn on City of Tucson land in Avra Valley on May 28, 2008. The purpose of the burn was to learn more about how firefighters can safely control extremely hot, fast-moving fires fueled by buffelgrass, an invasive species. This project will also help land managers and property owners learn how to prevent or mitigate damage from buffelgrass fires.
Saguaro National Park planned and conducted the burn. Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Coronado National Forest, Northwest Fire District, and Tubac Fire District also provided personnel and engines. Tucson Water provided substantial support as well, including staffing two water tenders and preparing fuel breaks. University of Arizona fire researchers used a variety of methods to document buffelgrass fuel loading and fire behavior during the burn.
Buffelgrass is a perennial noxious weed that is rapidly invading the Sonoran Desert. It is crowding out native species and threatening to fuel larger, more frequent wildfires that threaten human lives and property. Impacts of buffelgrass fires on native plant and animal communities, which are not adapted to fire, are anticipated to be severe. Fuel loads can be 3-20 times greater than annual grasses like red brome. Because it is increasing so rapidly, firefighters may find thick grass in places that traditionally had little. Because the fuel load is so heavy, it can generate fireline intensity and flame length much more extreme than usual for the desert. Strategies and tactics normally used on desert fires may not succeed on buffelgrass fires.
The area burned is part of a comprehensive research program being conducted by the University of Arizona and Tucson Water to determine the most effective and efficient methods for eliminating buffelgrass. Tucson Water’s Avra Valley property primarily consists of retired farmland purchased to acquire the associated water rights. Tucson Water manages the property with the intent to return the land to native vegetation.
Saguaro National Park, the City of Tucson, and numerous other entities are engaged in an on-going cooperative effort to reduce buffelgrass in Southern Arizona Visit wwwpaztcn.wr.usgs.gov/buffelgrass/ or www.buffelgrass.org to learn more.
Contact: Perry Grissom, Fire Ecologist
Phone: (520) 733-5134
*This story supports the National Fire Plan |
