WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION - A PARADIGM FOR NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT

The spread of noxious weeds on rangeland and forests in the United Sta tes has been described as a raging biological wildfire, This analogy a pplies to aspects of spread, impact, and control of weeds. Patterns an d means of spread are similar. Noxious weeds and wildfires can dramati cally change natural plant communities, alter distribution and species composition of wildlife populations, damage watersheds and increase s oil erosion, and adversely affect recreation and aesthetic values. Wil dfire management involves prevention, early detection, timely control, and site rehabilitation; elements which are also the foundation of so und weed management. Principles and practices associated with wildfire suppression can be used to illustrate many weed science fundamentals, and to improve weed management programs. Federal land management agen cies are directed to train employees in effective weed management and to increase public awareness about noxious weeds, Most agency employee s are familiar with wildfire management; knowledge which could be usef ul in teaching weed management principles. Fire prevention could serve as a model to promote greater public awareness of the impact of noxio us weeds and the need for weed prevention and early detection.