By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News

Sen. John Curtis, along with democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, has introduced the Strategic Grazing to Reduce the Risk of Wildfire Act, a bill that aims to create targeted grazing strategies to manage wildfire fuel sources.

If passed, this bill would see collaboration between the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service with grazing allotment holders, States, Tribes, and local fire departments to create these mitigation strategies.

“Utah has already experienced 218 wildfires this year, marking a nearly 50% increase compared to this point last year,” said Sen. Curtis. “While officials anticipate an above-average wildfire season, I am encouraged by proposals that include grazing and use of public lands for fire mitigation. Our bipartisan legislation will help empower local officials and fire crews to develop targeted strategies like these to manage hazardous fuels and decrease risks.”

In 2024, Utah reported 1,244 wildfires, the highest number since 2020 and a 54% increase from 2023. Already in 2025, the state has had 218 wildfires.

According to the bill’s text, this prevention strategy would consider” the use of grazing on vacant grazing allotments during instances of drought, wildfire, or other natural disasters that disrupt grazing on allotments already permitted.” 

A release from the office of Sen. Curtis explains what framework would be taken into consideration if the act is signed into law:

• 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.
• Reimbursing States, local governments, Tribes, and local firefighting agencies who use strategic grazing on federal lands in coordination with federal land management agencies.

“As the West continues to face the threat of wildfires, it’s essential that we look for ways to protect our communities from devastation,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “This bill takes a wildfire prevention and mitigation strategy that’s been proven to work and puts it in place at the federal level. We must make sure there’s an overarching plan to combat these fires that have become all too frequent.”