Grazing Practices See Revival in San Diego After Years of Decline
Grazing Practices See Revival in San Diego After Years of Decline
Grazing practices in San Diego County have come full circle, with a resurgence of interest in using livestock for wildfire prevention after decades of decline. This revival represents a return to traditional land management techniques that once dominated the region's landscape."Cattle have helped ward off the sprawl which has ravaged the ranches of Rancho Bernardo, Scripps, Otay, and Penasquitos," notes the San Diego Reader. However, many of these historic grazing lands were lost to urban development over the years, fundamentally changing the county's fire management landscape.
The 2003 Cedar Fire marked a significant turning point. After this devastating wildfire, grazing became "sporadic and unpermitted" in many areas of the Cleveland National Forest. Now, nearly 20 years later, forest managers are actively working to reintroduce grazing in areas where it has been absent.
The new approach is more strategic than historical practices. Rather than the open-range grazing of the past, today's programs involve carefully planned "prescribed herbivory" with specific fuel reduction targets. For example, the proposed Sill Hill grazing allotment includes precise specifications for timing and intensity - allowing up to 30 animals for no more than five months per year "unless conditions warrant a longer grazing season to meet fuels goals."
Research has increasingly supported this revival. Studies show that properly managed grazing can significantly reduce wildfire intensity by removing annual grass thatch and other fine fuels. This scientific backing, combined with the cost-effectiveness of grazing compared to mechanical clearing, has helped drive its comeback as a fire management tool.
The return to grazing also reflects growing recognition of its role in maintaining ecosystem health. As Duncan McFetridge of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation notes, the loss of grazing can lead to increased fire risks and the degradation of forest lands. This understanding has helped shift perspectives on grazing from being seen as potentially harmful to being recognized as a valuable management tool when properly implemented.
Recent changes in climate patterns and increased wildfire risks have added urgency to finding sustainable fire prevention methods. At $1.35 per animal unit month, grazing offers an economical approach to fire management at a time when fire prevention resources are increasingly strained.
Looking ahead, forest managers aim to strike a balance between historical grazing practices and modern fire management needs. The proposed expansion of grazing programs in areas like the Cleveland National Forest suggests this traditional practice may play an increasingly important role in San Diego County's wildfire prevention strategy.
Sidebar: Regional Comparisons of Grazing for Fire Management:
Mediterranean Regions:- - Similar to San Diego, other Mediterranean climate regions have historically used grazing for vegetation management
- - Areas across southern Europe have seen decreases in traditional grazing, leading to increased fuel loads and fire risks
- - The loss of historic grazing patterns in Mediterranean regions has contributed to more dangerous wildfire conditions
- - Unlike San Diego's year-round program, alpine regions like Switzerland show strong seasonal patterns
- - Research indicates that grazing has opposite effects depending on season: positive correlation with fire frequency in summer, but negative correlation in winter
- - The timing effect differs from San Diego's approach due to different climate patterns
- - Studies show grazing effectively reduces fire intensity and frequency across various temperate regions
- - Even light grazing and browsing can reduce fire intensity by modifying vegetation structure
- - Similar to San Diego, these regions find grazing particularly effective when combined with other management strategies
- - Research shows high livestock density generally correlates with lower fire frequency
- - Unlike San Diego's focus on cattle, these regions often use mixed-species grazing
- - More diverse herbivore assemblages are common, consuming different types of vegetation
- - San Diego's program is notable for its focus on urban-wildland interface areas
- - Cost structure ($1.35 per animal unit month) appears to be standardized compared to more variable pricing in other regions
- - San Diego's emphasis on family-owned ranching operations differs from more commercial operations in some other areas
Grazing Animals Help Combat Wildfire Risk in San Diego County
A time-tested approach to reducing wildfire danger is making a comeback in San Diego County, as cattle and other grazing animals are being deployed strategically to reduce hazardous fuel loads across the region.In the Cleveland National Forest, plans are underway to expand cattle grazing next summer in areas where it has been sporadic since the devastating 2003 Cedar Fire. The proposed Sill Hill grazing allotment would allow up to 30 cattle to graze for five months annually, helping prevent the buildup of dry grass and other fine fuels that can intensify wildfires.
"If we lose our ranches to development we lose our forest, and grazing allotments when properly managed are important for the survival of many ranches," says Duncan McFetridge, founder of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation. He notes that cattle ranching, which remains predominantly family-owned and operated in San Diego, has helped protect open spaces from development that has consumed historic ranches in areas like Rancho Bernardo, Scripps, Otay, and Penasquitos.
Studies show that cattle grazing can reduce fuel loads by 174 to 1,020 pounds per grazed acre. At a cost of just $1.35 per "animal unit month" (one cow and calf grazing for one month), grazing represents an economical approach to fire prevention compared to mechanical clearing or prescribed burns.
While some conservation groups have raised concerns about potential impacts on native ecosystems and erosion, proponents argue that properly managed grazing can actually benefit landscapes when combined with other fire prevention strategies. The key is carefully controlling the timing and intensity of grazing to achieve fuel reduction goals while protecting sensitive resources.
"Grazing is one of our most cost-effective tools for reducing wildfire risk while maintaining open spaces," says McFetridge. As climate change increases drought conditions and fire danger in Southern California, these four-legged firefighters may play an increasingly important role in protecting communities and forests.
The Forest Service issued nearly 6,250 grazing permits this year across the country as part of its fire management strategy. In San Diego County, the expansion of grazing programs represents a return to traditional land management practices that helped shape and preserve the region's iconic landscapes for generations..
Sources:
Regional Comparisons from "Effects of large herbivores on fire regimes and wildfire mitigation" (Rouet-Leduc et al., 2021):
Mediterranean Systems:
- "Following a regional shrub clearing plan coupled with livestock grazing in a Mediterranean environment, there is a decrease in fire frequency" (Lasanta et al., 2018)
- "In mediterranean regions, winter wildfires are almost always of anthropogenic origin" (Ruiz-Mirazo et al., 2012)
Alpine/Mountain Areas:
- "The density of grazing animals in an Alpine Valley had opposite effects on summer (positive correlation) and winter (negative) fires" (Vacchiano et al., 2018)
- Historical evidence from "Alpine Switzerland shows that livestock density negatively relates to fire frequency during 1904-1955" (Zumbrunnen et al., 2012)
San Diego Specific Information (San Diego Reader article):
- Cost structure: "$1.35 per animal unit month"
- Local impact: "Cattle have helped ward off the sprawl which has ravaged the ranches of Rancho Bernardo, Scripps, Otay, and Penasquitos"
- Current plans: "Starting next summer, more cows may be foraging in an area of Cleveland National Forest where grazing has been sporadic and unpermitted since the 2003 Cedar Fire"
Research Findings on Effectiveness:
- "Cattle grazing can reduce fuel between 174 and 1,020 pounds per grazed acre" (from San Diego Reader article)
- "In some cases, herbivore presence creates the conditions for more frequent but lower intensity fires, therefore reducing the frequency of extreme wildfires" (Rouet-Leduc et al., 2021)
Careful Control of grazing balances rain and fire:
The relationship between grazing and soil stability is complex and depends heavily on management practices. According to "Grazing Basics for Controlling Fuels" (Schohr et al.), proper grazing management must balance multiple factors to avoid negative impacts:Key Management Considerations:
1. Stocking Rate and Timing
- "Unmanaged livestock grazing with high or low stocking rates can lead to increases in...soil compaction, riparian degradation, erosion" (Schohr et al.)
- Proper timing and intensity of grazing is crucial - adaptive management approaches are recommended
2. Site-Specific Approach
- The authors emphasize that grazing programs must be "site-specific elements that can be influenced by parcel size, vegetation, personal preferences, and infrastructure"
- Not all areas are suitable for grazing during wet seasons
3. Adaptive Management
The documents stress the importance of "adaptive and comprehensive grazing program that considers not only the beneficial impacts of grazing, but also mitigates potential negative aspects" including:
- Soil compaction
- Riparian degradation
- Erosion risks
- Loss of ground cover
Best Practices to Minimize Erosion Risk:
1. Infrastructure Planning
- Proper placement of water sources and supplemental feeding locations to prevent concentrated impact areas
- Strategic fencing to control animal movement and protect sensitive areas
2. Monitoring and Adjustment
- Regular assessment of soil conditions
- Adjusting stocking rates based on weather conditions
- Moving animals when soil becomes saturated
3. Seasonal Timing
- Reducing or removing grazing pressure during periods of highest erosion risk
- Using seasonal rotations to allow vegetation and soil recovery
The sources indicate that well-managed grazing can actually help reduce erosion risks by:
- Maintaining diverse plant communities
- Incorporating organic matter into soil through hoof action
- Breaking up thatch that can prevent new growth
- Creating mosaic patterns of vegetation that slow water movement
However, success depends heavily on careful management and site-specific planning. Properties need a comprehensive plan that considers soil types, slope, seasonal rainfall patterns, and infrastructure placement to minimize erosion risks while achieving fuel reduction goals.
Cow days re-surface in Cleveland National Forest | San Diego Reader
$1.35 per animal unit month
Cattle have helped ward off the sprawl which has ravaged the ranches of Rancho Bernardo, Scripps, Otay, and Penasquitos.
Starting next summer, more cows may be foraging in an area of Cleveland National Forest where grazing has been sporadic and unpermitted since the 2003 Cedar Fire.
The proposed Sill Hill grazing allotment near the Cha’chaany Hamuk trailhead would combine portions of two historic allotments and grassland areas along Boulder Creek Road between the Inaja Reservation and Three Sisters trailhead.
The proposed Sill Hill grazing allotment would combine portions of grassland areas along Boulder Creek Road between the Inaja Reservation and Three Sisters trailhead.
To reduce wildfire intensity in the bone-dry area, managed grazing is proposed to prevent the takeover of annual grass thatch and other fine fuels. Figuring out the "cow days," a measure of how long a pasture can support a certain number of hungry ruminants, is part of the plan.
The project was proposed in December by the Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest, which is is divided into three districts (besides Palomar are Descanso — the mountain area south of Palomar Mountain and north of the Mexican border — and the Trabuco District which covers much of the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County).
The new forage area will have a main unit of 323 acres, allowing up to 30 animals to be grazed no more than five months a year "unless conditions warrant a longer grazing season to meet fuels goals."
A northern unit of 133 acres will be a year-round on-off allotment using fewer animals because cattle get to the area from a much larger sweep of private lands, where most of the forage and water is found.
According to the proposal, grazing will be managed by leaving enough standing forage and dry matter to prevent erosion, and possibly reducing livestock numbers in dry years or if resources dwindle.
Duncan McFetridge: "If we lose our ranches to development we lose our forest..."
Grazing has long been considered a legitimate use of public forests. More recently, it's been used to control vegetation.
Studies have found fuel loads are reduced not only by targeted or "prescribed herbivory" (like using goat herds) but also by conventional grazing. Cattle grazing can reduce fuel between 174 and 1,020 pounds per grazed acre.
The current grazing fee for cattle on US Forest Service lands is $1.35 per "animal unit month" which is the use of public lands by one cow and calf. Nearly 6,250 permits were issued for this year by the Forest Service.
One downside to grazing on public lands is the trampling of native ecosystems, water pollution and erosion as plants are gobbled down. Conservation groups in central California have filed several lawsuits against the Forest Service over grazing in sensitive areas.
And one long battle over historic cattle ranching recently ended most grazing at Point Reyes National Seashore.
But cattle ranching in San Diego, which is almost all family-owned and -run, has helped ward off one of the biggest threats to the backcountry. Sprawl development has ravaged the county's historic ranches, such as Rancho Bernardo, Scripps, Otay, and Penasquitos, says Duncan McFetridge, a founder of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation.
"If we lose our ranches to development we lose our forest, and grazing allotments when properly managed are important for the survival of many ranches."
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