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Ranchers tell committee wildfire closures and grazing rules deepen financial losses; some counties use ordinances to protect grazing rights
Summary
Ranchers described cattle losses, feed and fencing damage from recent fires and urged more flexible grazing access on burned federal allotments. Former county officials described local ordinances that attempt to preserve grazing rights and enable prescribed burns under county oversight.
Several ranchers and a former county commissioner told the Idaho Senate Agricultural Committee that recent wildfires have produced direct financial losses, strained grazing operations and that some federal post‑fire closures and permitting rules limit early rehabilitation and managed grazing solutions.
Ranchers’ losses: Midvale ranchers said multiple fires destroyed grazing for seasons and caused direct cattle losses. Steve Sutton, who ranches in Midvale and spoke for the Idaho Cattle Association, said the Paddock Valley Fire burned 87,000 acres and destroyed spring, summer, fall and winter pasture for about 600 cow/calf pairs on his operation; he said he was forced to sell a substantial…
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