The U.S. Forest Service says sheep are helping to reduce hazardous fuels near Carson City. Sheep are grazing on cheatgrass until mid-summer.
The Carson Ranger District says the sheep will graze in two areas: on the west side of Carson City, southeast of King’s Canyon Road near the C-Hill area and 10 miles southwest of Reno, just west of the Arrowcreek residential area.
The Forest Service says grazing started in April and will continue through the end of the cheatgrass growing season in mid-summer.
“Cheatgrass is an invasive species that has the potential to dominate an area if not managed," said Fuels Forester Anna Belle Monti. "Cheatgrass plants also create an exceptional fuel bed for wildfire and can be a threat to surrounding communities.”
The CRD says the Borda Land & Sheep Company out of Gardnerville are using 700 ewes for each grazing area and each flock is monitored by herders and livestock guard dogs.
For more information on the Carson Ranger District Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program, contact Scott Kizziar at 775-884-8142.
(The Forest Service contributed to this report.)
