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Weed & Pest district reports sharp rise in treated acres after 2024 fires; winter projects and reimbursements pending
Summary
The Weed & Pest supervisor reported treating about 60,000 acres of invasive annual grasses this fall—up from about 12,500 last year—largely in response to 2024 fires; much of that work is funded by state and federal grants and reimbursement is pending until federal offices reopen.
At the Nov. 10 meeting the county's weed & pest supervisor provided a quarterly update, reporting a marked increase in invasive‑species treatment this fall. The supervisor said the district treated roughly 60,000 acres of invasive annual grasses (including medusahead and other species), compared with about 12,500 acres in the previous largest year.
The supervisor attributed the increase primarily to recovery work after the Elm Fire and other 2024 wildfires and said the work is "pretty much entirely funded by state and federal grants." They said the district had begun a rehabilitation project in the Dry Creek area and planned seasonal hiring for winter projects such as Russian olive removal along the Powder River.
The supervisor also noted the district had a pending single‑audit for a federal grant ("it's about half $1,000,000" in the transcript) and that reimbursement timing depended on the federal government reopening fiscal operations. The supervisor said the district hosted educational outreach in the fall and would provide an annual report once it is finalized early next year.
Commissioners had no major objections and thanked district staff for their work; the supervisor offered to answer questions and follow up on any items the commissioners requested.
