As California prepares for another intense wildfire season, an unlikely team of firefighters has taken to the fields of northeast Fresno. Around 400 goats and sheep have been deployed to graze across 180 acres of land overrun by yellow star-thistle, an invasive plant that not only crowds out native vegetation but also creates dry fuel that can intensify wildfires. The eight-week grazing programme is part of a habitat restoration effort led by the City of Fresno and the Sierra Resource Conservation District (Sierra RCD). By naturally clearing dense vegetation, the animals are helping reduce wildfire risk while paving the way for native grasses, shrubs and trees to return. Similar grazing programs have already proven effective in other fire-prone states, giving Fresno officials a practical model to draw from as they scale up wildfire prevention efforts across additional vulnerable areas in coming seasons.
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