Fighting Fires­—One Bite at a Time

    Wildfires have become a huge problem in recent years. Climate change has made summers longer, hotter, and drier. Bushes and trees die off and turn into fuel for fires. Strong winds blow flames into huge, fast-moving firestorms. On average, wildfires burn an area the size of Massachusetts every year. They destroy thousands of homes and cause billions of dollars in damage. 

    People are looking for ways to slow down these massive fires. Experts say it’s important to get rid of dry grasses, bushes, and trees. That can be done by humans with power tools. But goats are a cheaper, cleaner option.

    Lately, wildfires have become a big problem. Climate change has made summers longer, hotter, and drier. Bushes and trees die and become fuel for fires. The wind blows flames into fast-moving firestorms. On average, wildfires burn an area the size of Massachusetts every year. They destroy thousands of homes. They cause billions of dollars in damage.

    People work to slow down these fires. It helps to get rid of dry grasses, bushes, and trees. Humans can do this with power tools. But goats are a cheaper, cleaner choice.

    Wildfires have become a serious problem in recent years. Climate change has made summers longer, hotter, and drier. Bushes and trees die off and turn into fuel for fires. Strong winds blow flames into huge, fast-moving firestorms. On average, wildfires burn an area the size of Massachusetts every year. The fires destroy thousands of homes and cause billions of dollars in damage.

    In order to slow down these enormous fires, experts say, it’s important to get rid of dry grasses, bushes, and trees. Humans can accomplish this with power tools—but goats are a cleaner, less expensive option.

    Goats are great for this firefighting job. They can climb up the steepest hills. Their jaws are built to grind through tough leaves. They can eat just about anything without getting sick. And it takes a lot to fill them up. Each goat can eat about 10 pounds of plants a day.

    Some experts worry that the goats do their job too well. If they munch all the bushes on a hillside, it can cause mudslides in a rainstorm. And goats also like to eat tree bark. Too much snacking can kill the trees.

    But every fall, firefighters need all the help they can get. And goats need all the food they can find. 

    Sounds like a perfect match. 

    Goats are great for this type of firefighting work. They can climb up steep hills. Their jaws can grind through tough leaves. Goats can eat almost anything without getting sick. And it takes a lot to fill them up. Each goat can gobble up about 10 pounds of plants a day. 

    Some experts worry that the goats do their job too well. If they eat all the bushes on a hillside, it can cause mudslides in a rainstorm. And goats like to eat tree bark, which can be a problem. Too much snacking can kill the trees.

    But every fall, firefighters need a lot of help. And goats need a lot of food.

    Sounds like a great match. 

    Goats are extremely well suited for this type of firefighting work. They can climb up the steepest hills. Their jaws are built to grind through tough leaves. Goats can eat practically anything without getting sick, and it takes a lot to fill them up: Each goat can consume about 10 pounds of plants a day.

    Some experts worry that the goats do their job too thoroughly. If they munch all the bushes on a hillside, it can cause mudslides in a rainstorm. And goats also enjoy eating tree bark, which can kill the trees if they overdo it.

    But every autumn, firefighters need all the help they can get—and goats need all the food they can find.

    Sounds like an excellent match.