02/13/02
By ANITA BURKE
Transient tumbleweeds are a mounting problem at Cindy Jones’ ranch
Another problem related to last summer’s irrigation restrictions is blowing in the wind — tumbleweeds.
However, no answers are readily available for people battling the drifts of weeds.
Brisk winds Thursday blew mounds of weeds onto Malin cattle rancher Cindy Jones’ property from neighboring fields left untended because of the lack of water.
“On the fence along the road out, they’re piled as tall as my truck,” Jones said.
The bushy, dried weeds also filled her corral and were drifted halfway up the windward side of her barn. She was concerned about a potential fire hazard and said the wind-driven weeds made the polled Herefords she raises skittish at feeding time.
Jones sought help removing the weeds at several agencies, but came up empty handed.
Klamath County Public Works’ weed control program only deals with noxious weeds. The Klamath County Soil and Water Conservation District had no programs available.
“She won’t be the only one,” said Rick Woodley, soil and water district manager. “I think its going to be a real problem. It’s going to be severe.”
Ken Rykbost, at the Oregon State University Klamath Experiment Station, recommended stacking the weeds away from structures and burning them on a calm day. Burning will destroy the seeds scattering from the weeds.
Jones said she and friends have started stacking and burning tumbleweeds. She expects clean up to take up to two weeks.
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