Meet California's Furry New Firefighters
April 18, 2001 — -- California's newest firefighters don't drive the trucks. They don't operate the hoses. They can't even answer the phones.
In fact, all they do is stand around and eat.
They're goats. And while the idea may sound silly, the animals may play an important role in stamping out the raging fires that have plagued parts of the state.
Dried grass and weeds have fueled many of the wildfires that have endangered homes. But if enough goats eat enough of the grass, firefighters may have to contend with fewer of the blazes.
It's an experiment Orangeville County is willing to try, bringing in 500 goats — animals specially trained to eat the brush.
"It does look like weeds to us but to the goats, it's food," said Kim Angelo of the Sacramento Metro Fire Department.
"Maybe it's a little bizarre," conceded firefighter Steve Kirk. "I've never heard of it before. But I think it will work out really well."
Angelo said firefighters have in the past tried to clear the brush and weed by hand. But Bea McGrew, of Ecosystems Concepts, and her husband stumbled on the idea while on a trip to Canada.
"In Canada, they started using sheep in public parks, to graze the public parks," she said.
But she found that goats were actually better for the heavier California vegetation.
The goats will be in the area for five to seven days, eating about three pounds of grass each per day and trimming the bottom branches of nearby trees at no extra charge.
They're also attracting a lot of attention.
"That's a pretty good idea," exclaimed one passer-by. "Do two things at one time — prevent fires and feed some goats!"
ABCNEWS affiliate KXTV in Sacramento contributed to this report.
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