Herbicide treatment to begin soon on public lands near Goodsprings, Mormon Mesa and Gold Butte

LAS VEGAS – Beginning November 15, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be implementing a hazardous fuels reduction project via the aerial dispersal of herbicide. The work consists of applying a pre-emergent herbicide fuel break in select locations on BLM administered lands for the control of invasive annual grass such as red brome (Bromus rubens) and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) with the goal of restoring native species in the Mojave Desert ecosystem. 

These fuel breaks are treated with herbicides to lower wildfire risk. They are strategically placed in Wildland-Urban Interface areas to enhance management capabilities and simplify fire suppression efforts during a wildfire. Application will be along but outside of roadsides, utility rights of way, and on the federal side of the federal/private property boundary. Pilots and ground personnel will ensure herbicide application is on targeted areas on public lands only.

Locations for the herbicide treatment are:

• approximately 5,060 acres west of Mesquite on both sides of the Interstate15 in the Mormon Mesa area between November 15 and 20, 2024
• approximately 3,000 acres near Goodspings tentatively scheduled between November 23 and 28, 2024
• approximately 2,885 acres North of Gold Butte National Monument and South of Bunkerville. Approximately 200 acres are within Gold Butte National Monument, between December 2 and 8, 2024

The projects will focus on reducing invasive annual grass species and replacing them with locally adapted, genetically appropriate native plants. The primary goal is to increase biodiversity and enhance the resilience of public lands over time. By treating invasive species, the project aims to reduce competition with native plants and lower the risk of wildfires. A contractor hired by the BLM will apply a federally approved pre-emergent herbicide called Imazapic. The herbicide will be applied from aircraft to minimize ground disturbance caused by wheeled vehicles. Additionally, all water sources will be excluded from the herbicide application, maintaining a buffer of at least 656 feet from any standing water.

Imazapic is a pre-emergent herbicide that acts on red brome and other invasive grasses as they germinate in the coming months. This prevents invasive species seeds from becoming established and reduces the chances of and leads to larger and more frequent wildfires. Imazapic remains in the soil for well over a year (average half-life is 232 days, but this varies with soil conditions) so it will have an impact on next year's invasive grass crop in the areas being sprayed.