Sept. 11 -- BENICIA, CA -- Who let the goats out?
It was the Benicia Fire Department.
The department has received a $15,000 grant to expand the use of goats as part of the city’s vegetation management.
The goats will be deployed in high-risk areas to graze on grass and other weeds reducing the risk of fire.
With over 2,000 acres of open space areas adjacent to residential structures, Benicia firefighters use discing, spraying and goat grazing to reduce the risk of wildfire in open space areas, according to a city news release.
The California Fire Foundation and Pacific Gas & Electric Company have partnered for a $1 million grant — offering smaller portions of the grant to fire departments as a way to address the catastrophic effects of climate disasters.
“With recent wildfires throughout California, residents are concerned with fire danger and are looking for increased risk reduction”, said Benicia Fire Chief Josh Chadwick in the same release. “This grant will help to reduce the risk of fire danger in Benicia. We are thankful for the partnership between PG&E and the CA Fire Foundation.”
The goats will be used from September 2018 through April 2019, prior to discing work next spring, city officials said.
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