Invasive grasses, or "fine fuels," contribute significantly to wildfires and threaten the unique biodiversity of the Northern Great Basin, where Malheur County is located. These grasses out-compete native plants and increase wildfire risks, devastating rangelands essential to local cattle and dairy industries.
With nearly 77% of Malheur County designated as rangeland and much of it federally managed, invasive grasses undermine both ecological stability and agricultural productivity. In the past decade, nearly 2.5 million acres have burned in wildfires across the region, further stressing agricultural resilience and competitiveness, especially in a county where cattle ranching accounts for 59% of agricultural sales.
Over the past eight years, the research has removed over 6,500 tons of fine fuels, preventing potential wildfire fuel in Malheur County’s rangelands.
In response, Sergio Arispe, Oregon State University Extension Service’s livestock and range field faculty specialist and associate professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, partnered with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and academic institutions, including Boise State University and the University of Idaho, to develop a solution. His innovative approach focused on extending grazing seasons into the fall and winter to reduce the buildup of fine fuels.
By engaging local cattlemen, Arispe led research that tested whether cattle could graze invasive grasses during dormant seasons without damaging native plants. His team successfully implemented contracted grazing on public lands to reduce wildfire risk and save ranchers on feed costs. Arispe's research was further supported by a $515,132 grant to incorporate drone technology to better understand grazing patterns and plant growth.
Over the past eight years, Arispe’s research has removed over 6,500 tons of fine fuels, preventing potential wildfire fuel in Malheur County’s rangelands. This approach has saved ranchers approximately $313,000 in winter feed costs, benefiting both the agricultural economy and public land management.
The grazing techniques have not harmed native plant communities, such as perennial bunch grasses, which are better for wildlife habitat and pose less wildfire risk. These successes have been published in scientific journals and shared with public land agencies, helping to guide policy on sustainable rangeland management. Moving forward, Arispe’s work, enhanced by drone technology, aims to further restore degraded sagebrush and improve land resilience against invasive species and wildfires.
The integration of drone technology in future research will further enhance land management strategies, promoting sustainable, resilient rangelands and strengthening the economic viability of the county’s agricultural economy.
