Cheatgrass

Now, a new project with fences of a different kind is envisioned for the wide-open public land dotted with sagebrush and cheatgrass.

Scientific literature on the dangers of grass fires is growing rapidly, though perhaps not as fast as doubly flammable invasive grasses such as cheatgrass are invading clear-cuts.

Cheatgrass does bounce back.

Cheatgrass dries out early in the fire season, blanketing areas where it grows and making it easier for flames to spread.

But an additional threat, the invasive plant cheatgrass, could push it over the brink.

Sage and Faith Askin and brothers Kellen and Cameron Smith have two things in common despite operating ranches nearly 200 miles apart: They are passionate about raising cattle and ranch in areas with high cheatgrass populations.