Pyrograzing turns ordinary livestock into fire prevention heroes, so why isn't it used on public lands more often?

In grasslands of the American West, four-legged fire prevention crews are actively working to reduce wildfire risk. Cattle, goats, and sheep trample tall grasses while consuming plants, a practice known as targeted grazing. This approach is gaining traction as severe wildfire seasons strain firefighters and public land budgets. Intentionally removing trees, shrubs, and grasses can alter the trajectory of future wildfires, but it's complex and costly, often involving intentional burning, herbicides, and heavy machinery.

Livestock can accomplish some of this work by grazing strategically in specific areas. U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management leaders are advocating for more targeted grazing on national forests and public lands as part of the 2025 Grazing Action Plan. Rangeland scientists see potential but also limitations to this strategy.

While livestock don't eat large woody trees, they can help maintain grass and shrublands, which are where most wildfires burn. In some locations, like Santa Clara County, California, grazing is a formal part of wildfire management plans. Targeted grazing can reduce flammable vegetation enough to avoid catastrophic wildfires and slow fire spread, making firefighters' jobs easier.

It can also be more practical and cost-effective than other fire risk reduction methods, especially in remote or steep terrain. However, implementing targeted grazing at the scale needed to address wildfire risk across federal lands is challenging. Ranchers need to adjust their operations, bring livestock to certain areas at different times, haul water, and keep animals in areas longer than usual, which can be costly.

Some staff were concerned about monitoring to ensure projects have the intended effect and about the feasibility of paying ranchers for the work. Despite these challenges, there are good examples of U.S. Forest Service staff incorporating livestock grazing into fire and fuels planning, such as in Idaho, where sheep have substantially reduced the amount of flammable grasses.