RENO -- Cheatgrass doesn't look like much, but it poses a major threat to our environment and public safety in Nevada.

"Cheatgrass usually dries out early in the spring and can serve as good kindling for wildfires," said Ed Smith, natural resource specialist, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. "If you look around, you will see hills covered with pale yellow, dry cheatgrass that could easily burn if ignited."

Smith said that dry cheatgrass is one of the easiest plants to ignite, and that cheatgrass fires have been started by catalytic converters on cars, cigarette butts, welding activities, lawn mowers, bottle rockets, and ricocheting bullets.

Here are some tips when working or playing where there's cheatgrass:

Always have water and a shovel nearby to help put out a spark or small fire if one starts.

Do not park your car over dry cheatgrass.

Properly dispose of cigarettes and matches.

Do not play with sparklers, bottle rockets or fireworks.

Do not start a campfire.

Remove cheatgrass from the area extending at least 30 feet from your home, shed or other buildings.

"Cheatgrass is not native to this area, but is now widespread throughout Nevada," Smith said. "It is taking over Nevada's rangelands and everywhere it invades becomes more susceptible to wildfire."

To learn more about protecting you home from the threat of wildfire, visit www.livingwithfire.info or contact Smith at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension at 775-782-9960 or smithe@unce.unr.edu. Living With Fire is an interagency program coordinated by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

Adult literacy

The Pahrump Community Library, 701 East St., offers free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring to adults who struggle with reading.

All sessions are held with a qualified literacy volunteer. For more information, call 727-5930. ext. 19.

Let SCORE help you

Don't place your business plans on vacation. The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), sponsored by the Small Business Administration, is available now to help put your plans to work.

Located at the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce offices in the Nevada State Bank building at 1301 S. Highway 160, SCORE provides confidential free one-on-one counseling and assists in finding money or funding sources including business plan, marketing, break-even point, management guidance and all other features -- all at no charge.

Call Sally at the 727-5800 or SCORE at 727-9471 to schedule an appointment to discuss your business ideas and start on the road to a possible profitable venture.

Free drug tests

Teen Care provides free drug tests for the children of concerned parents and guardians.

The test detects marijuana, cocaine, meth, opiates, amphetamines and more. All services are free and confidential. Teen Care provides Christian help for teens involved with drugs or alcohol.

Appointments are available Monday through Saturday. Call 727-9911 for more information.

Volunteer for SCORE

All active or retired business people are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience by being a volunteer SCORE counselor.

Sponsored by the Small Business Administration, SCORE provides free consultations to all who want to start a business. SCORE will provide training for volunteers.

Call Sally at the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce at 727-5800 or SCORE at 727-9471 to volunteer.