Grazing for Fire Prevention
Overview
Recently, we have seen California’s wildfire grow in intensity, scope and size. As thousands of acres of expansive open spaces burn each year in the state, along with destroying homes and communities there is interest in actively working to create a more fire resilient landscape. Managed livestock grazing with goats, sheep and cattle is one tool homes owners, land managers, communities and public agencies can utilize to reduce fire fuel loads that can lead to catastrophic fires. The goal of managed grazing is to reduce "fine fuels" that can carry a fire, not to "fire proof" your landscape.
You can learn more in this homeowners guide to managed grazing and fire preparedness. (Coming soon).
This page includes additional resources to assist you in implementing a managed grazing program and technical resources that can help you refine your managed grazing plan.
Grazing for Change
The Grazing for Change publication can help landowners and property managers take an active part in creating a more fire resilient landscape protecting homes, businesses, communities, and natural resources.
"Managed livestock grazing with goats, sheep, and cattle is one tool homeowners, land managers, communities and public agencies can utilize to reduce fire fuel loads that can lead to catastrophic fires," states Garrett Sjolund, Assistant Chief, CAL FIRE - Butte County. "Myself and other
firefighters value livestock grazers to reduce the severity, continuity, and size of wildfires."
Copies of the booklet are available by contacting UC Cooperative Extension at smgbrown@ucanr.edu or click here to read the book online.
Video - Webinar Grazing for Fire Prevention
Grazing Management
- Synthesis Paper: Planned Herbivory in the Management of Wildland Fuels. (Nader, et al. 2007)
- Synthesis Book: Targeted Grazing Handbook
- Research Paper: Effects of Long-Term Livestock Grazing on Fuel Characteristics in Rangelands: An Example From the Sagebrush Steppe. (Davies, et al. 2010).
- UCANR Publication 8217: Factors and Practices that Influence Livestock Distribution. (George, et al. 2007).
- Research Paper: The California Rangeland Conservation Coalition - Grazing research supports an alliance for working landscapes. (Barry, et al. 2007)
- Synthesis Research Paper: Targeted Livestock Grazing: Prescription for Healthy Rangelands. (Bailey, et al. 2019)
- Research Paper: Foraging behavior of domestic herbivore species grazing heathlands associated with improved pasture areas. (Ferreir, et al. 2013)
- Synthesis Research - Conservation Benefits of Rangeland Practices: Assessment, Recommendations, and Knowledge Gaps (Briske, D.D. editor, 2011)
- Synthesis Research - Effects of large herbivores on fire regimes and wildfire mitigation
- Research Paper - Use of GPS tracking collars and accelerometers for rangeland livestock production research (Bailey, 2018)
Vegetation and Poisonous Plants
- UC Field Guide - Weeds, Forages and Natives of the Central Sierra Nevada
- University of California Weed Information Center - Invasive Weed Control
- UC Guide 8560 - Poisonous Plants
- UC Guide 8398 - Livestock Poisoning Plants
Effectiveness Monitoring
Fencing
Fencing -
Leases and Agreements
Wildfire Home and Property Checklist - Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety Wildfire Checklist.
Technical Assistance
Butte County Fire Safe Council
Butte County Cal-Fire - Vegetation Management Program
Natural Resources Conservation Service - Butte County
Butte County Resource Conservation District
Feather River Resource Conservation District
**Look for your University of Cooperative Extension Advisor, Resource Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service Center for local assistance to establish or improve your land management to reduce fire fuels.