Goats – firefighting superheroes.
Really? Sort of, thanks to their natural grazing ability, which means they are hungry for the fuel – vegetation – that can turn a fire into a disaster unless it’s cleared.
San Diego Gas & Electric’s wildfire-fighting partners embarked on a neighborhood crossing in Chula Vista Friday, guided by handlers between grazing areas, with their own cheering section of spectators from the community.
Initially piloted by the utility in 2021, the use of goat grazing is a component of SDG&E’s Land Services Abatement Program and has proven to be an effective and climate-conscious method to mitigate wildfire risks.
Managed by experienced herders, the program strategically deploys goats to areas of SDG&E-owned corridors throughout the company’s service area, clearing dry vegetation that could act as fuel for fires.
“Implementing alternative concepts to reduce flammable fuels within our transmission spaces is a testament to our commitment to community safety and environmental stewardship,” said SDG&E Program Manager William Click. “These goats are nature’s natural firefighters and thanks to their grazing behavior and digestive process, vegetation growth is decreased or thinned, reducing future abatement needs.”
The success of the program is attributed to the goats’ unique ability to selectively target invasive and fire-prone plants, such as highly flammable grasses, chaparral and brush. Their digestive system also reduces or neutralizes the spread of seeds.
Some environmental benefits of goat grazing include keeping corridors open, preventing the spread of noxious weeds and promoting the growth of local vegetative species through moderate grazing. Also, goats can be utilized year-round for weed abatement without the risk of igniting fuels in high-risk areas.
The initial grazing areas are within SDG&E-owned corridor property in North and South County. Along with Chula Vista, Oceanside and Escondido are part of the program, and other company locations are being considered.
A San Diego County-based environmental land management company has been hired to staff the grazing goats for the duration of the program.
According to Click, “The brush abatement goat program has been instrumental in reducing the threat of wildfires in our region. The goats not only provide an effective solution for vegetation management, but also contribute to soil health and promote biodiversity. It’s a win-win situation for both wildfire prevention and environmental conservation.”
