A Call to Action: Nature-Based Wildfire Solution for Siskiyou County

By Capt. William E. Simpson II – USMM Ret.
Founder & Executive Director, Wild Horse Fire Brigade

Siskiyou County stands at a critical juncture. As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity, threatening lives, homes, and our natural heritage, we have an opportunity to embrace innovative, cost-effective solutions that are already transforming landscapes across the globe. My five-year study on the role of wild horses in managing wildfire fuels offers a proven, nature-based approach that could protect our community and set a national example. It’s time for our County Supervisors and citizens to come together and champion this vital initiative.

In 2019, I shared my research with the international community, demonstrating how wild horses in Siskiyou County naturally reduce grass and brush fuels while enhancing tree resilience. This work caught the attention of Rewilding Europe, who featured it as the inaugural article in their wildfire-focused journal, GrazeLIFE. You can read the full study here: Wild Horse Fire Brigade: Lessons in Rebalancing North American Ecosystems by Rewilding Equids. Since then, countries like Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain have adopted similar strategies, using wild horses to prevent catastrophic wildfires and restore ecosystems. A recent example from Spain highlights their success: Wild Horses Return to Spain to Help Prevent Fires and Restore Ecosystems.

Here in California, the stakes are high. An 11-year UCLA study estimates that wildfire smoke claims 5,000 lives annually across the state, while exposing children to long-term health risks like cardiopulmonary and autoimmune diseases. Learn more here: The Death Toll from Wildfire Smoke. In Siskiyou County, where rugged terrain limits traditional grazing by cattle or sheep, wildfires continue to burn through unmanaged fuels. A pilot wild horse grazing program, strategically deployed in these high-risk areas, could significantly reduce fire hazards while supporting biodiversity and cutting suppression costs.

This approach is both practical and economical. Wild horses, adapted to our local landscapes, offer a sustainable alternative to expensive mechanical or chemical fuels management methods. By working with nature, we can protect our communities, preserve our forests, and reduce the economic burden of firefighting—all while fostering healthier ecosystems.

To our County Supervisors: the evidence is clear, and the time to act is now. A pilot program leveraging wild horses could position Siskiyou County as a leader in innovative wildfire prevention. To our citizens: your voice matters. By advocating for this program, you can help ensure a safer, more resilient future for our county.

Let’s unite to bring this solution to life. For more information or to get involved, visit Wild Horse Fire Brigade or contact me directly. Together, we can protect Siskiyou County for generations to come.

Capt. William E. Simpson II – USMM Ret.
Founder & Executive Director, Wild Horse Fire Brigade
Ethologist, Author, and Conservationist
Wild Horse Ranch, P.O. Box 202, Yreka, CA 96097
Phone: 858-212-5762
Website: https://www.wildhorsefirebrigade.org/
Film Freeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WilliamESimpsonII

William E. Simpson II is an ethologist studying free-roaming wild horses. He is the award-winning producer of the micro-documentary Wild Horses, author of two books and over 500 articles on wild horses, wildlife, wildfire, and public land management. He has appeared on NBC, ABC, CBS, NPR, and more.