FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant programs have provided funding for wildfire mitigation involving goat and sheep grazing. Since 1994 FEMA has obligated nearly $15 million for goat and sheep grazing mitigation activities.
One of the best ways to control wildfires is to implement vegetation management strategies to control the amount of fuel available to feed the flames. These actions help enable an effective and efficient preparedness and recovery strategy. In certain cases, areas can be difficult to reach by vegetation management equipment due to the nature of the terrain–rocks, canyons, and steep inclines. In these areas the introduction of goat herds has proven to be an ideal solution to the problem.
Fuel reduction by goat grazing is more widely accepted than chemical and mechanical alternatives because it offers a solution that supports sustainability. Another added benefit to the program is the cost, which can be considerably lower than other methods available.
Not only can goat herds support prevention of wildfires, but according to Utah State University, goats can be used for a variety of other land management purposes, such as rangeland improvement, riparian and watershed management, improving wildlife habitat, and reducing nutrient competition in tree plantations.
In 1995 Laguna Beach, Calif. applied for and received a grant from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for $396,000 to fund a goat grazing program.
The goats worked exclusively on 11 fuel modification zones located on the outside edges of the city. Since California weather allows it, the goats could work year-round and just be moved from place- to-place as needed.
A number of states, including Nevada and Utah, use the same strategy to reduce fuels in their wildland urban interface areas.
