Firefighting Borda sheep chow down on cheat grass

As part of the Carson Ranger District’s Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest released sheep on Friday in the Jacks Valley Wildlife Management Fuels Reduction Project area just south of Jacks Valley Road.

From approximately mid-October through November, the sheep will consume cheatgrass and other non-native vegetation over a 2,000-acre project area on National Forest System lands.

“Cheatgrass is an aggressive non-native species outcompeting our native vegetation,” said Fuels Specialist Steve Howell. “It eventually pushes out our native grasses and shrubs from their natural habitat. Cheatgrass plants also create an exceptional fuel bed for wildfire spread and can be a threat to communities.”

The Forest has contracted the Borda Land & Sheep Co. out of Gardnerville to perform the grazing project. Approximately 1,200 ewes will be released and monitored by herders and livestock guard dogs.

“This program is an important collaboration to help keep Jacks Valley and surrounding communities safe from destructive wildfire,” said Carson District Ranger Matt Zumstein. “Grazing sheep is a cost-effective, low-impact, and natural way to efficiently reduce the spread of this invasive species.”

The Jacks Valley Wildlife Management Fuels Reduction Project area is also a popular place for people to hike with their dogs. However, this popularity has resulted in an increased number of incidents where off-leash dogs are harassing the sheep.

Continuation of the sheep grazing program is dependent upon keeping both the sheep and dogs safe from harm. Both uses can coexist as long as the public abides by both the Douglas County animal ordinances on county lands and Forest Order (04-17-20-16) on National Forest System lands, which require dogs to be leashed in the Jacks Valley Wildlife Management Fuels Reduction Project area.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep all dogs leashed while hiking through the area where sheep are grazing,” said Howell. “No matter how well trained a dog is, their instinct to chase could put them and the sheep in danger.”