This year a county in Washington hired goats to trim back landscape that had been devastated by the Sleepy Hollow Fire in 2015. This was the first time goats have been used for wildfire prevention in the state. (KUOW)
High on the hill was a lonely goatherd. His name was Todd Waits, and along with two working dogs, he was shepherding about 325 goats.
The animals are almost magically efficient. They prefer to eat invasive species prone to fire – woody, brushy plants or weeds that are prickly and unpalatable to other livestock. Native, resilient plants are their last choice. The fence contains the goats within an area about the size of an acre. It keeps them from running off, but it also keeps them competitive for food, which helps the process.
“We haven’t had any complaints whatsoever,” said Brett, the fire chief. “We were concerned with that and the noise and escapees – and no problems. The neighborhood seems to be really happy having them there.” Vern Smith, right, looks across at the rubble of his home, destroyed in a wildfire the night before, Monday, June 29, 2015, in Wenatchee, Wash. The wildfire fueled by high temperatures and strong winds roared into town Sunday afternoon. The blaze ignited in brush just outside Wenatchee, quickly burning out of control.Nanny, a Great Pyrenees mix, is so named for her occupation - she's the goats' protector, ensuring that predators like cougars don't attack the herd.
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