A news item from Cattle Point / Oak Bay BC (Victoria BC) I wonder how the torch treatment does NOT harm the camas native plants Oak Bay torching invasive burweed at Cattle Point - Victoria News
What people will do to remove weeds !!! Only a surface treatment though. The deep roots of other native plants remain unaffected. I believe that's the answer to your question Georgia.
Yes, camas bulbs are deep. Something like the meadowfoam, though, I can't imagine being too deep-rooted (perhaps I'm wrong). But it looks like the fire treatment occurs during the offseason so as not to interfere.
This is a thread I meant to comment on over a month ago, only to say that in my limited experience living in an area where hundreds of camas grow, I do not think burweed would prevent established bulbs from coming up. Where I do think the weed could be a problem is in preventing seedlings from growing and thriving. The torch treatment, labour-intensive as it may be, would not harm deep-seated bulbs at this time of year and may provide an opportunity for young camas to live. It would be interesting to hear the rationale of those behind the Cattle Point initiative.