Cattle grazing on public lands

GRAZING AS A SOLUTION

As our state works together to find solutions to prevent the many devastating impacts recent wildfires have caused, livestock must be part of the solution. 

GRAZING AS A SOLUTION

As our state works together to find solutions to prevent the many devastating impacts recent wildfires have caused, livestock must be part of the solution. 

More Prescribed Burns

Forests could be better managed and prepared to handle future wildfires by lowering fire fuel loads through greater use of managed grazing and more prescribed burns.

More Grazing

Removal of grazing has increased shrub cover and fire hazards in the open spaces of the Bay Area. More grazing could protect these communities from future wildfires.

Less Fuel Loads

Reducing fuel loads by grazing can lower the ignition and initial spread of fire. Recent fires have shown grazed rangelands burned less severely than lands not previously grazed. 

The Value of Grazing:Wildfire Mitigation
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More Prescribed Burns

Forests could be better managed and prepared to handle future wildfires by lowering fire fuel loads through greater use of managed grazing and more prescribed burns.

More Grazing

Removal of grazing has increased shrub cover and fire hazards in the open spaces of the Bay Area. More grazing could protect these communities from future wildfires.

Less Fuel Loads

Reducing fuel loads by grazing can lower the ignition and initial spread of fire. Recent fires have shown grazed rangelands burned less severely than lands not previously grazed. 

CCA Wildfire Factsheet 2020

THE POWER OF A COW

Research studies have proven livestock grazing has the power to mitigate impacts of wildfires through reducing fire spread and intensity by minimizing fuel loads and increasing fuel moisture. One cow can consume approximately 27 pounds of forage per day, about 5 tons per year—5 tons which instead could be fuel for California’s next catastrophic wildfire.

With direct emissions from beef cattle equating to only 2% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, grazing can allow for a more resilient California.

Download our factsheet on the left to share with others how the increased use of cattle grazing is key to mitigating California’s wildfires.

Download Factsheet
CCA Wildfire Factsheet 2020
Download Factsheet

THE POWER OF A COW

Research studies have proven livestock grazing has the power to mitigate impacts of wildfires through reducing fire spread and intensity by minimizing fuel loads and increasing fuel moisture. One cow can consume approximately 27 pounds of forage per day, about 5 tons per year—5 tons which instead could be fuel for California’s next catastrophic wildfire.

With direct emissions from beef cattle equating to only 2% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, grazing can allow for a more resilient California.

Download our factsheet above to share with others how the increased use of cattle grazing is key to mitigating California’s wildfires.

Research

The Benefits of Grazing – Livestock Grazing: A Conservation Tool on California’s Annual Grasslands

Livestock grazing effects on fuel loads for wildland fire in sagebrush dominated ecosystem

Will livestock grazing on rangelands reduce the potential for and severity of wildfires?

Gassy cows? Facts about beef’s carbon emissions

UCCE: Fire in California – Grazing

PRESCRIBED BURN ASSOCIATIONS

As California continues to focus on finding solutions to mitigate wildfire and opportunities to reduce fire-related risks, prescribed burn associations (PBAs) are forming across the state.

WHAT ARE PBAS?