Sonoran Fuel Breaks

In February 2024, the Southwest Fire Science Consortium led a field trip in central Arizona to learn more about the dynamics between wildfire and invasive species in the Sonoran Desert. The field trip was focused on improving our collective understanding of how invasive grasses and forbs have altered the fire conditions in the Sonoran Desert by increasing the frequency and severity of fire. Field trip participants, ranging from agency personnel to researchers, learned about techniques that are being tested to reduce wildfire risk to Sonoran Desert ecosystems that are impacted by invasive species, preserve areas of intact desert, and prevent further transition of Sonoran Desert ecosystems to grasslands.

Learn About:

• Techniques being used to reduce fire risk
• Expert opinion on the status of fire and invasion in the desert
• How prescribed fire is being employed in a non-fire adapted ecosystem
• Why a site-specific approach is needed to reduce fire risk and conserve the native ecosystem

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