Invasive Grass Fuels Increased Fire Activity in the West

It has been proven that certain invasive grass species may be the cause for bigger and more frequent fires in certain areas of the western United States. This species is called cheatgrass, accidentally brought over in the 1800's. It is the main cause for bigger fires and accounts for 39 of the greatest 50 fires. This, researchers say, is too high for the overall area the grass occupies. From 2000 to 2009 the cheatgrass burned twice as much as any other vegetation. Cheatgrass is creating a novel grass-fire cycle that makes future fires more likely to occur because of the ability of cheatgrass to rapidly spread and fill in the ground between other plant species. And  such fires caused by cheatgrass make for a difficult management challenge. The fires can threaten agricultural lands and, since more people are building homes in the west, residential areas as well as habitat for threatened native wildlife, such as the greater sage grouse. 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121205132357.htm