Caprine Herd Eats Lunch, Fights Fires

West Sacramento, California has a novel answer to wildfires: 400 goats. The city has enlisted the services of the animals to eat their way through vegetation that would otherwise become fuel for the fires that have scorched the state in recent years.

“About 400 goats can clear two acres a day and get in places mowers can’t reach,” West Sacramento’s public information officer Paul Hosely told the Sacramento Bee, adding that they’ve been using the goats for a decade.

The goats may have saved a number of homes last week when they chewed their way through underbrush around a housing complex shortly before a fire broke out nearby. Firefighters credited the goats with keeping the flames away from the houses.

The herd is hired out by Blue Tent Farms, also known as Western Grazers, whose website explains the gig: “Our goat herds are used all across Northern California to reduce fire fuel loads on public and private lands in advance of wildfire season. Goats can graze on even the steepest and rockiest terrain, clearing shrubs, underbrush and tough plants more easily than human workers can with mowing equipment.”

Goats are also the most environmentally friendly way to whack weeds. They graze with zero emissions and without the use of the dangerous chemicals found in conventional herbicides. Well, there’s one emission, but it’s a natural fertilizer.

The caprine herd – which looks hilarious in an urban setting – are kept in line by a couple of very good dogs. Have a look at the whole posse crossing Jefferson Boulevard on their way to lunch: youtube.com/watch?v=nrN7MaNj6Zw.

Photo credit: City of West Sacramento