CAST will release a new publication examining the role of invasive plants in changing wildfire regimes during a public webinar on May 6. The paper, titled "Integrated Management of Fire-Adapted Invasive Plants That Change Wildfire Regimes," will be made available for the first time at this event.
The upcoming publication explores how certain invasive plant species contribute to more damaging wildfires by altering fuel types and distribution across landscapes. It also reviews policies related to managing these species and offers science-based tools for integrated management and restoration efforts. The session is open to land managers, ecologists, fire professionals, scientists, policymakers, and others interested in the intersection of invasive species and wildfire.
Moderators for the event include Greg Dahl from the CAST Plant & Soil Sciences Workgroup; Matthew Baur, director of the Western Integrated Pest Management Center; and Brian Mealor from the University of Wyoming. According to CAST, capital losses from California wildfires alone exceeded $150 billion in 2018 while federal firefighting costs average about $3 billion per year. An estimated 50 million homes are located in areas where urban development meets wildland vegetation.
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A recording of the May 6 webinar will be provided afterward for registered participants.
