BLM to begin aerial seeding of area burned by wildfire

RENO -- Federal land managers are scheduled to begin rehabilitation efforts this week on public lands blackened by a recent wildfire south of Reno.

BLM spokeswoman Lisa Ross said plans call for the aerial seeding of about 600 acres in the Washoe Drive fire area with a variety of native and non-native plant species.

She said the selection of the plants was based on their ability to aid in controlling erosion and invasive species and resisting fire .

The wind-whipped blaze, inadvertently set by a man who improperly disposed of fireplace ashes, destroyed 29 homes, forced about 10,000 people to flee the flames and blackened 3,200 acres.