Wildfires Open Pastures And Ranges To Invasive Plants
By Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Water and Cropping Systems Educator
The devastation the wildfires across Nebraska have caused this past year is
unimaginable. Communities and people's lives have changed forever. The estimated
total acres burned in Nebraska by wildfires in 2026 to date is 981,502, with the
Morrill fire in the Sandhills estimated at 642,029 acres. Though not the highest
priority, one item that should be addressed in the near future is the risk of
invasive plants appearing in areas that have never had them before.
Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a concept for identifying potentially
invasive species prior to or just as their establishment is taking place. An
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan can be developed to manage, contain, and
potentially eradicate the invasive species before it spreads further. This will help
to avoid costly, long-term control efforts.
Landowners and managers should be aware of this potential problem and be ready to
act should the situation arise. Invasive plants spread through the environment in
several ways, including equipment, wind, water, wildlife, livestock, and forage
stocks. With the extensive wildfires that have occurred, it is very possible that
seeds and plant parts from these plants have moved considerable distances to new
areas in pastures, farm ground, and riparian sites. The forages generously shared by
producers from other states could also contain other invasive plants not seen in
these areas. Producers utilizing these forages should monitor the areas where they
were fed for new plant species.
In addition to the Nebraska Noxious Weed list and the county-added noxious weeds,
two devastating invasive winter annual grasses of particular concern for the
Sandhills and grasslands are Medusahead (Fig. 3) [Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.)
Nevski ] and Ventenata (Fig. 2 and 4) [Ventenata dubia (Leers) Coss.]. Both
non-native invasive grasses pose significant ecological and fire threats. These
invasive grasses contain a high silica content, making them less desirable as
forage. Heavy infestations reduce native forage production, can form monocultures,
and can decrease land value and biodiversity. Control of these two species is
similar to that of Cheatgrass. Other invasive plants to watch for are Bulbous
bluegrass (Poa bulbosa), Dalmatian toadflax [Linaria dalmatica (L.)], Sulphur
Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta L.), and Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare L.).
Prevention is the best and cheapest management option. Scout and monitor your land
for any new plants. If you cannot identify the plants, contact your local Nebraska
Extension Educator or local Nebraska Weed Control Authority for assistance.
It is best to detect and control these plants during the early stages of
infestation. Do not let them become established in the long term, as controlling and
maintaining these plants will become more costly and time-consuming. Managing these
plants early and preventing seed production are key to keeping them from spreading.
Several management options (IPM) may be required.
The best timing for winter annual grasses is in the fall, prior to or shortly after
emergence. Perennial plants are best managed early in their growth stage before
they become established. Perennial plants and most biennial plants are managed
during the rosette stage in early spring or in the fall, after a frost.
Mowing can be done, but it will need to be repeated for regrowth, as it does not
kill the plants. Mowing plants with visible seed heads will not prevent seed
production.
Chemical treatment options are available to manage these invasive plants. Products
containing aminopyralid, clopyralid, chlorsulfuron, dicamba, metsulfuron methyl,
picloram (Restricted Use), triclopyr, glyphosate (non-selective), and 2,4-D have
been shown to work for broadleaf invasives. Indaziflam, imazapic, and rimsulfuron
work well on annual grass species but become less effective later in the season,
with fall treatments offering the best control. Application timing is critical for
efficient efficacy. The use of these products may adversely affect native plant
species. Be sure to read and understand the product label about these concerns.
Consult the product manufacturing representatives if you have questions. Tank mixes
of several of these compounds may provide better control. Adding a non-ionic
surfactant to the herbicide mix will aid in control; however, retreatment may be
necessary. Continue monitoring the sites for any missed plants or regrowth.
Be sure to select a product labeled for the site and the plant you want to manage.
Read, understand, and follow all label instructions when using any pesticide.
