BLM - Bureau of Land Management
09/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/15/2025 11:49
BLM combats invasive grasses in Uintah County
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BLM combats invasive grasses in Uintah County
Utah
Green River DO
Vernal FO
Media Contact
JD Mallory
[email protected]
(801) 539-4089
BLM Office:
September 15, 2025
VERNAL, Utah - The Bureau of Land Management will spread herbicide across roughly 2,500 acres in the McCoy Flats area to prevent the establishment and spread of invasive annual grasses. Weather permitting, crews will conduct the aerial spraying between Sept. 21 and Oct. 1.
Cheatgrass and other invasive grasses spread quickly and dry out early, increasing wildfire risk. These grasses often take over burned areas or bare ground.
"These treatments will help the land resist fire," said Charles Fischer, Desert Rivers Fire Management Unit Fuels Specialist. "By removing these invasive annual grasses, we reduce wildfire risk and allow native plants like bunchgrass and shrubs to grow back."
McCoy Flats is southwest of Vernal, in Uintah County.
"You may see or hear low flying planes in the area," Fischer continued. "Public safety is our top priority, and we monitor weather and wind direction closely to ensure safe spraying."
The scene near the Halfway Hollow area southwest of Vernal following a 2023 cheatgrass treatment. Photo by Cal DeBerard, Fuels Specialist with BLM Green River District.The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
BLM - Bureau of Land Management published this content on September 15, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 15, 2025 at 17:49 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]