wildfire prevention - Pitchstone Waters

Spain’s Wild Horses Help Prevent Wildfires But Survival Under Threat

Wild horses in Spain's Galicia region have played a key role in wildfire prevention by clearing undergrowth, aiding in ecosystem preservation. However, the herd has dwindled significantly.

horses and wildfire

Meet The ‘Firefighting’ Donkeys of Spain

Known as Doñana’s Firefighting Donkey Battalion, this unit is responsible for preventing wildfires in parts of Spain—all thanks to their seemingly bottomless appetites.

"Wolves"

Wolves and Wildfires

There is a shocking level of ignorance shown in the debates about the problems we see with wolves and wildfires. Nobody seems to ask the single most important question: WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Newsletter

Restoring Biodiversity - 8/5/2025

The hidden talents of natures unloved animals. The war on biodiversity remains alive and well. Colorado deploys new wildfire-prevention tool. And more….

Cattle

Colorado Deploys New Wildfire-Prevention Tool: Cows

Colorado, though, as it happens, already has something that can help prevent fires, at least on the open grasslands, and that something may come as an udder surprise to some:

Wild Horse Fire Brigade

Horse Roundups! Can They be Stopped With 'Fertility Control'?

The debate about wild horses becomes easier when approached holistically.

forest thinning

PG&E Scraps Tree-Trimming Program Once Seen as Key to Fire Prevention

California utility spent more than $2 billion on effort it says was ineffective; focus now is on power-line settings

wildfire control

US Forest Service Burn Started Wildfire That Nearly Reached Los Alamos, New Mexico, Agency Says

As reported below, another prescribed burn went out of control in New Mexico with very bad results. Plenty of folks are up in arms about how these burns are conducted, but none seem to question the “science” that justifies these fires in the first place. Our friend Allan Savory – the

Brush

Politicians Tell Forest Service: Do More to Fight Wildfires

“As discussed below, The Forest Service has estimated that more than 460 million acres are at moderate to high risk from wildfire.” NOTE: this article was originally published to Outsideonline.com on April 18, 2023. It was written by Susan Montoya Bryan. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Lawmakers from several western

Conservation

Politicians Tell Forest Service: Do More to Fight Wildfires

“Quoting the article below, “The Forest Service has estimated that more than 460 million acres are at moderate to high risk from wildfire.” NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on April 28, 2023. It was written by Usan Montoya Bryan. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Lawmakers from several

California wildfires

At Yosemite, a Preservation Plan That Calls for Chain Saws

As discussed below, most experts now agree that logging and prescribed burning are necessary to improve forest health. Other practices which are not discussed in this article – but equally needed – are hunting and domestic livestock grazing. All of these are fiercely opposed. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.

forests

Returning Fire to the Land

“This article from the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), a free market environmental think tank based in Bozeman, discusses how states are starting to overcome decades of inertia and entrenched policy challenges to promote the use of prescribed fire. NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.org on

Fire management

Healthy Forests Make Good Neighbors

“This article from the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), a free market environmental think tank based in Bozeman, discusses the common sense idea of turning federal-lands fire mitigation decisions over to states. NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.org on June 23, 2022. It was written by

PERC

How Environmental Red Tape Inflames Wildfire Risk

This article from the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), a free market environmental think tank based in Bozeman, discusses the “analysis paralysis” of the federal forest agencies. Regulatory overkill combined with environmental lawsuits make wildfire mitigation nearly impossible. Quoting the authors, “Across all mechanical fire-treatment projects, it takes an

Conservation

Losing the Forest for the Trees

“In this excellent article from PERC (Property and Environment Research Center), the free market environmental think tank based in Bozeman, the authors explain why forest thinning and complementary restoration efforts help protect watersheds, enhance wildlife habitat, store carbon, and increase forest resiliency to pests, disease, and other threats. NOTE: this

Fighting Wildfires

Wildfires and Wildfire Prevention: What's Working, What's Not?

Are controlled burns environmental ‘silver bullets’ or environmental disasters? NOTE: this article is being published with permission of the author. It was written by William E. Simpson II – full credits / reference below. Wildfires and Wildfire Prevention: What’s Working, What’s Not? Fire retardant chemicals are known carcinogens and pollutants

"Invasion Biology"

When Goats Become Firefighters, Not Everyone Follows Orders

The article below discusses using goat herds to reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfire. At Pitchstone Waters, we use goats every year. Their favorite food is leafy spurge – a rapidly spreading weed that no other domestic or wild animal will eat, and which is immune to herbicides. NOTE: this

Bio-Diversity

City of Spokane Uses 200 Goats for Fire Prevention

Quoting Spokane’s Parks Director, ” (Goat grazing) is an economically and ecologically friendly way to manage brush density.” NOTE: this article was originally published to KHQ.com on May 14, 2021. SPOKANE, Wash. – Starting Friday, about 200 goats will be on the job to help reduce fire risk in natural

Agriculture

Livestock: A Powerful Tool for Wildfire Control

Quoting the article below, “Livestock grazing is also proposed as a potential solution for wildfires such as those that have devastated several western states this year. Researchers with the University of California Cooperative Extension are evaluating how much fine fuel — grasses and other plants known to start fires — cattle eat.