471 goats brought in to fight wildfires in California: How the animals are clearing dry brush at US military base

Wildfires can spread rapidly across dry landscapes, destroying forests, homes, wildlife habitats and vital ecosystems within hours. Beyond the immediate devastation, intense fires can damage soil, worsen air pollution, threaten communities and disrupt local economies. Rising temperatures, prolonged drought and dry vegetation can further increase wildfire risks in vulnerable regions. Faced with a similar ordeal, the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in San Diego has put as many as 471 goats to work to clear dry brush and reduce wildfire risk at the US military base.

Goats deployed to clear wildfire fuel

According to a report by NBS San Diego, this pilot programme will test whether grazing can offer an environmentally friendly way to effectively create fire breaks in areas that can otherwise be difficult and dangerous to access for crew members.

The herd of 471 goats arrived from Ojai and was released onto Camp Elliott, reported CBS8. According to Cole Bush, the owner of Shepherdess Land and Livestock, the company that supplied the animals, the primary goal is to ‘reduce any flashy fire fuel’. Cole, who is running the operation with her mom, added, ‘These animals are specifically on the job to do what they do best, which is eat.’

471 goats tackle dry brush across military base

Seems like Cole was right, as the goats immediately got to work, within minutes of their arrival, eating dry grass and brush on a designated hillside that could quickly trigger a wildfire. These Spanish Boer goats have been specially trained to target vegetation that contributes to fire risk. They are also expected to clear 3-5 acres of land every day.

With approximately 500 goats moving through the area, trampling the crunchy, old dry brush, the bushes are likely to break up and flatten on the ground. This, in turn, can help eliminate the ladder fuels- vegetation that allows flames to climb from the ground into taller plants and trees- causing fires to grow larger and spread faster.

Why goats could protect wildlife and reduce fire risk

‘This is the first military installation that has tried this, so it's really exciting,’ claimed CAS Miramar Fire Department Fire Chief Joshua Allen. He added that the idea has been brewing in his mind for more than a decade, as he was always in support of getting goats on-base. The goats are starting in East Miramar, as well as in an area used by the military base’s explosive ordnance division (EOD).

Due to the rough terrain, getting military personnel here can be difficult and even hazardous, noted Allen. Additionally, the goats could also help the base avoid using heavy machinery to clear some areas. Since MCAS Miramar is home to several endangered species, officials believe that grazing could reduce the potential impact on sensitive habitat.