That's because the employees are all goats.
Mill Valley hired the four-legged firefighters to gobble up tinder-dry brush and grass on four acres at the Edgewood Reservoir.
``These are working goats,'' said Fire Battalion Chief Greg Moore, lauding the herd that went to work Tuesday. ``They are environmentally friendly.''
The black, white and brown spotted goats will take 21 days to 30 days to eat the area clear of French broom, acacia, blackberry and dry grass that are a combustible fire hazard.
Moore, who runs the Vegetation Management Program, said different methods have been used to reduce the threat of fire. The goats are being tried for the first time, in part because they don't produce any air pollution.
The last two years the department did controlled burns.
``I believe a prescribed burn is the least expensive and good for the soil,'' said Moore. ``But in this location, the goats were the best alternative.''
The service, provided by Living Systems Land Management of Santa Cruz, will cost $4,000 to $5,000 depending on how long the goats stay and how much they eat.
