WASHINGTON—Legislation introduced by U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) to reduce the risk of wildfires unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR). The Strategic Grazing to Reduce the Risk of Wildfire Act now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.
Historic drought across the West has led to devastating fires that grow in scale and intensity every year. This legislation would direct the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to collaborate with grazing allotment holders, states, Tribes, and fire departments to create a strategy to use targeted grazing to manage hazardous fuels.
“Last year, Utah saw nearly 165,000 acres burned by wildfires—the most acreage burned since 2020,” said Senator Curtis. “Pilot programs have shown that strategic grazing and use of public lands for fire mitigation can reduce hazardous fuels and slow the spread of wildfires. As we face this year’s fire season, I’m proud to see our bipartisan legislation to empower local officials and fire crews to develop targeted strategies like these advance in the Senate.”
“Nevada’s use of strategic grazing to reduce the risk of devastating wildfires has been a proven success,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Now, we have the opportunity to extend this valuable tool throughout the West. I am glad to see my legislation pass through committee with bipartisan support, and I urge Senate leadership to immediately bring it to the floor for a vote.”
Pilot programs have shown that the use of strategic grazing can reduce hazardous fuels and slow the spread of a wildfire. The Strategic Grazing to Reduce the Risk of Wildfire Act directs federal agencies to consider the following in the development of the strategic grazing framework:
- Targeting specific high-risk areas for grazing—especially those near populated areas;
- Using temporary grazing permits to reduce risks caused by annual grasses or invasive grasses like cheatgrass that burn easily and help fires spread more quickly;
- Recommending the use of strategic grazing when providing technical assistance to communities and Tribes undertaking their own wildfire risk management projects; and
- Reimbursing states, local governments, Tribes, and local firefighting agencies who use strategic grazing on federal lands in coordination with federal land management agencies.
Read more about the legislation here.