Federal and county forestry officials are concerned that this year's large outbreak of the invasive cheatgrass could lead to increased wildfires. Deschutes County Forester Ed Keith says a wet winter and spring has led to taller, thicker patches of the grass. Cheatgrass is common throughout the Western U.S. It dries out and becomes very flammable around summer after sprouting anew starting in December. The Bend Bulletin reports that the grass tends to grow along roadways, which in 2015 sparked a 105-square-mile (272-square-kilometer) wildfire when a vehicle struck the grass.