‘REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL’ publication on the “wild” horses in Sisq

^{cover credit: Michelle Gough}

Could Wild Horses Help Fight Wildfires?
By: Michaela Haas

The article from Reasons to Be Cheerful explores the innovative idea of utilizing wild horses to combat wildfires. William E. Simpson, a naturalist living near Yreka, California, has observed firsthand how wild horses can play a crucial role in wildfire prevention. After moving to a remote hillside in 2014, Simpson noticed the presence of over 120 wild horses living alongside other wildlife. His interactions with these horses, particularly during the 38,000-acre Klamathon fire in 2018, led him to an “aha” moment. He observed that the horses remained calm during the fire and continued grazing, which helped to reduce the amount of grass and brush that could fuel wildfires.