Goats are helping prevent wildfires in Ventura County The Ventura County Fire Department is using an age-old method as a new way to reduce the threat of wildfires and to protect agriculture. Since August, the department has been using 300 goats to methodically reduce the threat of damage by wildfire to some of Ventura County’s open space.

With grant funds for asset protection provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the fire department is testing grazing as a method of controlling vegetation in and around agricultural assets that are at risk from wildfires.

Project areas are divided up into small, 1-acre plots using electric fencing. The fences keep the goats concentrated in a specific area while keeping predators out. The goats remain there until vegetation––potential fuel for fires–is thinned out. Then they’re moved to another fenced area until the project is completed. A herder and a couple of dogs provide protection and direction for the goats.

“Many ranchers have told us that, given a choice, they would rather lose their home than their crop,” said Capt. Brendan Ripley, vegetation management officer for VCFD. “Homes can be replaced in a relatively short time, but it takes years for an avocado tree to reach production age. These crops are their livelihood, and the devastating effects of a wildfire on an orchard or nursery can have long-term negative effects. Grazing with goats helps to limit or lessen these effects.”

In addition to controlling greenery, there are other benefits from grazing. Contrary to common belief, goats don’t eat everything—they’re actually very selective. This selective feeding allows the department to regulate how much they’re consuming and move them to the next area, leaving desirable vegetation to provide erosion control and scenic beauty.

“Fuel, weather and topography are the three components of a wildfire. Of the three, fuel is the only element we can manage,” said Ripley. “The goats are only one of the vegetation management tools we have, but this pilot program has been so well-received that the department is hoping to apply this method of vegetation management in more communities (that are) at risk from a wildfire throughout Ventura County.”