ROCKLIN, Calif. — It's one of the driest Februarys on record in Northern California and fire crews are working to clear brush ahead of the 2020 wildfire season.
But it's not just humans working to protect communities. Goats and sheep have taken over an open space in Rocklin's Whitney Ranch doing what they do best — eating.
"The goats and sheep come out and they eat down the grass and the weeds, so they reduce the fire fuels," said Corrine Heisler, the city of Rocklin's Environmental Services Specialist. "That reduces the fire risk potential in the city."
Heisler said the animals are also gaining a fan following. For nearly eight years, the city has used the grazing program to help reduce fire risk.
The animals usually start in early spring and work through the summer, Heisler said.
Since Monday the animals have been able to clear out extra vegetation to a huge portion of the open space in an area that's not easy for humans to get through.
"We started doing this because we have areas in the city that are steep and hilly or have environmental protections," Heisler said. "We can't get hand crews in there or equipment and the animals love to climb and they love to go after all the plants."
And it's work the animals don't mind given the amount of food they get to consume. And that's much appreciated by the Rocklin Fire Department.
"It allows us to apply our resources in other areas that may need it where we can reduce the amount of vegetation on our own," Roseville Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Watkins said.
Last July, another city saw the benefits of a grazing program when a wildfire broke out in West Sacramento. It happened in an area goats had just grazed.
The city said the wildfire was kept from spreading, because it had less fuel to burn and a clear path allowed firefighters to access the flames.
Rocklin officials said the city pays $350 an acre to the herd's contractor, less than half of what they say it would cost to have humans do the job.
You can track the herd’s progress by clicking here.
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