CHAPTER 12 : Targeted Grazing to Manage Fire Risk 10 KEY POINTS

• Natural and human-caused wildfires have long shaped North American landscapes. • A national focus on reducing fire fuels is opening a door for targeted grazing. • Targeted grazing typically tackles four fire fuel types – grass, shrub, slash, and timber. • Knowledge of fuel characteristics and species foraging habits lays the groundwork for developing grazing prescriptions. • Ecological objectives should be an integral part of any fuel-reducing strategy. • Managing vegetation that contributes to wildfires is a long-term process that requires patience. • Timing of grazing is critical both for animal health and fuel-load reduction. • Supplements can help animals remain healthy and fight plant toxins. • Prescribed burning and targeted grazing can work hand in hand to reduce fire fuel loads. • An inventory that assesses current plant status will determine the kind and combination of treatments required.