FIRE EFFECTS GUIDE - National Wildfire Coordinating Group

at a rate to permit improvement" (Dyksterhuis 1958). Burning an area that is in
poor condition because of overgrazing can temporarily increase production of
desired species. However, the improvement will be short-lived if grazing practices
remain unchanged. "Various combinations of rotation land deferment. . . have all
proven to be successful where such factors as range condition, kind of livestock,
stocking rate, season, and intensity were given proper consideration. Rate of
stocking--balancing numbers and time of grazing animals with forage resources--is
the most important part of good grazing management ... Seemingly there has been
over-optimism in judging grazing capacity and allowable use, which has been an
important factor in range deterioration . . . It has become increasingly apparent that
former utilization standards are often several times more than can be tolerated
continuously, and that reduction in livestock numbers is often necessary to correct
unsatisfactory conditions" (Blaisdell et al. 1982).
Holechek (1988) researched and published utilization guides by precipitation zone
for different range types in the USA. The recommended average degree of use of
the key species varies from 20 to 50 percent with the upper levels only on good
condition ranges or for dormant season grazing. Heavy grazing invariably leads to
a gradual loss in forage productivity and vigor, high death losses, and higher costs
for supplemental feed in drought years. Pechanec, Stewart, and Blaisdell (1954)
found in the sagebrush-grass type that proper followup management, i.e.,
protection from livestock use the first year, and light grazing the second year with
proper stocking thereafter, resulted in increased grazing capacity 9 years later.
Capacity on this area was increased by 83 to 106 percent, but there was only a 4
percent increase without this management. The area with proper management had
five sagebrush plants per 100 square feet (9.3 square meters), compared to 55
plants per 100 square feet on the area without the above management.
On desert grasslands postfire rest must occur, and careful, conservative
management followed until the weakened grass cover has completely recovered
(Pase et al. 1977). Postfire recovery of browse species in these arid areas may
take much longer than on more mesic sites (ibid.) A common goal for all grazing
systems should be reduction of damage from grazing while promoting beneficial
effects, and many systems appear equally effective (Blaisdell et al. 1982). Many
combinations have proven to be successful where such factors as range condition,
kind of livestock, stocking rate, season, and intensity were given proper
consideration.
4. Economic Considerations. One of the primary reasons for the interest in using
prescribed fire and limited control of wildfire is the perception that fire is a cheap
brush control treatment. Smith (1981) states that prescribed burning provides an
inexpensive brush control method, but labor will greatly increase the cost of
prescribed burning, so the planning process should emphasize practices (such as
fuel breaks) that will reduce labor needs to a minimum. He also lists one
disadvantage as the risk of fire escaping and consuming valuable forage, ensuing
property damage and danger to lives, resulting in expensive suppression costs and
civil suits.