Nevada Wildlife Agency Restores Hawk Fire Burn Area

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is using aerial treatments to combat invasive grasses and support native plant growth.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Hunting

Screen-print poster illustration of a burnt Nevada mountainside with emerging green native sprouts, depicting environmental habitat restoration efforts. — The Nevada Department of Wildlife is conducting aerial habitat restoration on land damaged by the Hawk Fire to suppress invasive grasses. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local agencies use chemical treatments to restore native habitats in wildfire burn areas?

The Nevada Department of Wildlife has begun restoration efforts on land burned by the Hawk Fire to prevent the spread of invasive cheatgrass. Aerial crews are using the pre-emergent herbicide indaziflam to help native vegetation recover.

Why it matters

Wildfires often trigger rapid growth of invasive annual grasses that crowd out native plants and degrade essential wildlife habitats. These targeted treatments are designed to secure the environment for species like mule deer, elk, and sage grouse.

The application of indaziflam provides cheatgrass control for up to three years. Native plants such as sagebrush and bunch grasses are expected to re-establish within two years following the treatment and seeding cycle.

The players

Nevada Department of Wildlife

This state agency is responsible for the protection, preservation, and management of wildlife resources and habitats throughout Nevada.

The details

Helicopters are deploying pre-emergent treatments and seeds across the Peavine, Hawk Fire, and Stallion Fire burn areas to facilitate habitat recovery. The initiative targets the protection of sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and various wildflowers from monoculture encroachment.

Cheatgrass typically establishes on burned land within one year.
Indaziflam provides weed control for up to three years.
Aerial pre-emergent treatment deployment is expected within months.
Seeding efforts are planned for the following year.
Native plants are expected to re-establish within two years.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader shift toward proactive ecosystem management to prevent the post-wildfire ecological succession of cheatgrass monocultures. By intervening early, the agency seeks to steer the landscape back toward native biodiversity rather than allowing invasive domination.

These restoration efforts aim to maintain healthy rangelands that support local populations of mule deer, elk, and sage grouse. Residents and outdoor enthusiasts can expect continued habitat recovery as these treatments support the return of native plants and wildlife forage.

The takeaway

Restoring fire-damaged land requires rapid intervention to prevent invasive species from permanently altering the ecosystem. Property managers and outdoor stewards can utilize similar pre-emergent strategies to promote long-term native plant health on their own lands.