Pyrograzing turns ordinary livestock into fire prevention heroes, so why isn’t it used on public lands more often?
San Manuel, Calif., Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Tovar holds a young goat whose herd just spent a day eating brush and grass to reduce wildfire risk. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images In grasslands across the American West, four-legged fire prevention crews are busy at work, helping keep wildfire risk under control.
In the grasslands of the American West, cattle, goats, and sheep are being used to help reduce wildfire risks. This practice, called targeted grazing, involves strategically placing livestock in areas with tall, dry grasses and shrubs that could fuel wildfires. As the animals graze, they eat or trample the vegetation, lowering the amount of flammable material on the ground. The goal is not to eliminate wildfires entirely but to make them less intense or easier to control. For example, in 2017, beef cattle in California alone consumed around 600 pounds of vegetation per acre across nearly 34 million acres. This method is gaining attention because severe wildfire seasons are straining firefighting resources and public land budgets. Targeted grazing is seen as a cost-effective alternative to methods like controlled burns or heavy machinery, especially in remote or steep terrain where those methods are impractical.
Targeted grazing involves using livestock to manage vegetation in a way that reduces wildfire risks. Livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep are placed in specific areas at certain times of the year to eat or trample grasses, shrubs, and other flammable plants. This process helps alter the landscape by reducing the amount of fuel available for wildfires. For instance, in Santa Clara County, California, grazing has become a formal part of wildfire management plans. The practice is particularly effective in grass and shrublands, where most wildfires occur. Livestock can also be used to prepare areas for other fire prevention methods, such as controlled burns or herbicide treatments. For example, grazing can remove vegetation before a controlled burn to make the fire safer and more controllable. In some cases, grazing is combined with other techniques to achieve the best results.
Targeted grazing offers several advantages over traditional wildfire prevention methods like controlled burns, herbicides, or heavy machinery. One key benefit is that livestock can access remote or steep terrain that is difficult or dangerous for humans to reach. For example, goats and sheep can graze on hillsides where controlled burns might be too risky due to the terrain or vegetation density. Additionally, grazing can be more cost-effective in certain situations, as it requires less equipment and labor compared to mechanical clearing or herbicide spraying. In the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain, and Pacific Southwest regions, a quarter of U.S. Forest Service ranger districts have used targeted grazing to manage fire risks. Surveys of over 1,000 Forest Service staff found that a majority believe targeted grazing can be at least moderately effective, with over two-thirds rating past projects as moderately to extremely effective.
Despite its potential, targeted grazing faces several challenges that limit its widespread adoption. One major issue is the practicality of using livestock in certain areas. For example, ranchers may need to bring water to livestock in areas without natural sources, keep animals in an area longer than ideal for their health, or adjust their grazing schedules to align with fire prevention needs. These adjustments can be costly and may not always be feasible. In some cases, livestock may not be able to graze enough to significantly reduce wildfire risks. A 2025 survey of Forest Service staff found that only 5% were very likely or extremely likely to use targeted grazing in the next few years. Their concerns included the lack of monitoring to ensure projects are effective, the ability of ranchers to implement grazing plans, and the feasibility of paying ranchers to conduct targeted grazing as a vegetation treatment.
The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are pushing for more targeted grazing on public lands as part of the 2025 *Grazing Action Plan*. This plan aims to expand the use of livestock for wildfire prevention, but it has faced criticism from environmental groups who argue that it could put wildlife at risk or be used as an excuse to open more land for ranchers. Despite these concerns, targeted grazing is already being used in some areas, such as Idaho, where sheep have reduced invasive grass cover by over 20% in some years. However, the effectiveness of grazing depends on timing and conditions, as invasive grasses may mature too early for livestock to graze effectively. To succeed, the practice requires financial and technical investment in both agency staff and ranchers to plan and implement targeted grazing projects.
