New Research Challenges Postfire Grazing Practices

Study finds early grazing after wildfires may not harm recovery, could help manage invasive cheatgrass

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:13am

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A bold, highly structured abstract painting in earthy tones, using sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals to conceptually represent the complex interplay of fire, grazing, and plant recovery on a Western rangeland.An abstract scientific illustration captures the nuanced dynamics between fire, grazing, and plant recovery on Western rangelands.Hailey Today

Researchers at the University of Idaho's Rinker Rock Creek Ranch are challenging the long-held practice of resting pastures for two full growing seasons after a wildfire. Their study found that carefully managed grazing as soon as eight months after a fire did not harm native plant recovery and may even help control the invasive cheatgrass. The findings could provide ranchers with more flexibility in managing their land after wildfires become more frequent in the West.

Why it matters

With wildfires becoming more common in the Intermountain West, the standard recommendation of resting pastures for two years after a fire has put a strain on many ranchers who struggle to find supplementary forage during that time. This study suggests that an earlier return to grazing may be possible in some cases, without harming the recovery of native plants, and could even help manage problematic invasive species like cheatgrass.

The details

Researchers used electric fencing to block off four 44-acre pastures on the University of Idaho's Rinker Rock Creek Ranch, which was partially burned by the 2024 Glendale Fire. Beginning in mid-May 2025, they rotated 14 Hereford steers through the pastures, with each group spending two weeks grazing. They found the cattle preferred areas with more abundant forage, even if those spots were more severely burned, and that spring grazing helped reduce cheatgrass in the first two pastures. While they are still analyzing the full impact on native perennials, the researchers say they haven't seen any evidence that the early grazing harmed the recovery of desired plant species.

  • The Glendale Fire burned over 7,500 acres in September 2024.
  • Researchers began grazing the experimental pastures in mid-May 2025, about 8 months after the fire.
  • Cattle finished grazing the final pasture in mid-July 2025.

The players

K. Scott Jensen

University of Idaho area extension range educator.

Dr. Jim Sprinkle

University of Idaho professor and extension beef specialist, lead investigator on the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch study.

Cameron Weskamp

Operations manager at the University of Idaho's Rinker Rock Creek Ranch.

University of Idaho

The public research university that conducted the study on post-fire grazing practices at its Rinker Rock Creek Ranch.

Rinker Rock Creek Ranch

A University of Idaho research ranch that was partially burned by the 2024 Glendale Fire and served as the site for the post-fire grazing study.

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What they’re saying

“The question is, 'Is there a real reason two full years rest are needed after fire?' Can it occur sooner than that without delay or harm to postfire recovery? We wanted to put some science to it.”

— K. Scott Jensen, University of Idaho area extension range educator

“There's no national policy that requires that, but it's pretty much the common practice.”

— Dr. Jim Sprinkle, University of Idaho professor and extension beef specialist

“I didn't expect to see that effect of spring grazing on cheatgrass. I would expect to see it with fall grazing.”

— Dr. Jim Sprinkle, University of Idaho professor and extension beef specialist

What’s next

Researchers hope to continue monitoring the experimental pastures for three full growing seasons to further assess the long-term impacts of early post-fire grazing, but that will depend on securing additional funding.

The takeaway

This study suggests that a more nuanced, site-specific approach to post-fire grazing management may be warranted, rather than the blanket two-year rest period that has been the standard recommendation. Carefully timed and monitored grazing could potentially aid in the recovery of native plants and the control of invasive species like cheatgrass, providing ranchers with more flexibility in managing their land after wildfires.