Meet the new stars of fire mitigation around BART property in California, a change in their fire-fighting arsenal by trading out their well-loved goats for self-shearing sheep, as reported by BART today. The goats have been an excellent tool in managing dry grasses and fire hazards for the past two years, but it's time to make way for these photogenic and self-shearing grazers.
It might seem like an unusual strategy, but sheep and goats both have proven track records in reducing fire risks with their natural appetite, according to an ABC News article. Sheep prefer to graze on grasses and short roughage, while goats have a taste for taller, woody plants. Switching between these animals every few years allows for effective fire hazard mitigation while ensuring a sustainable ecosystem for both species to flourish.
(BART)
Munching on dry, fire-starting vegetation might not sound like a high-tech solution for preventing wildfires, but these herbivores have turned out to be a cost-effective alternative to heavy machinery for fire hazard management. As Josh Soltero, a Fence and Irrigation Technician at BART who supports the grazing project, noted that using grazing animals to remove dried grasses also reduces the risk of accidentally starting fires with machinery. Furthermore, the sheep emit far less pollutants compared to gasoline-powered equipment.
The support from the public for BART’s beloved grazing goats was immense; earlier this year, BART even introduced a horned anime mascot inspired by their caprine companions. Now, the stage is set for the arrival of these self-shearing sheep; though initially more standoffish than the friendly goats, these woolly wonders are just as efficient in grazing the dry vegetation, all while looking like "fluffy goats," per BART coverage.
