Goats Deployed to Mow Down Dead Vegetation and Reduce Wildfire Risk in Reno, Nevada

Strategic Insights -

Reno, Nevada, is gearing up for its peak wildfire season, with hundreds of acres of land already at high risk of burning. To mitigate this threat, the Reno Fire Department is introducing 250 goats that will mow down dead vegetation across hilly terrain over the next 45 days. This innovative approach has been successful in previous years, with goats proven to be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to clear dry brush and invasive species.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Reno Fire Department is deploying 250 goats to mow down dead vegetation across hilly terrain in Reno, Nevada, to reduce the risk of wildfires.
  • The goats will eat away dry brush, including non-native grasses and weeds that fuel wildfires, for 45 days.
  • The city has used goats for fire mitigation four times previously, with positive, long-lasting effects on the area.
  • The goat grazing operation will cost the city approximately $67,500, funded in part by state legislation passed in 2022.
  • Wildfire managers say it takes a suite of approaches to prevent wildfires, including manual brush clearing, herbicides, and prescribed burns.
  • Research suggests that targeted grazing with livestock can reduce the severity or impact of wildfires, with some studies indicating that it can significantly reduce grasses and weeds.
  • The Reno Fire Department emphasized the need for federal action to address ongoing cuts to the federal workforce and funding for wildfire response and mitigation.

Statistics:

  • Last year, nearly 860 wildfires burned about 104,000 acres of land across Nevada, according to the Nevada Division of Forestry.
  • The Davis Fire, which burned in northwest Reno, destroyed 14 homes and two commercial buildings, and forced the evacuation of about 20,000 people.
  • The goats from High Desert Graziers will be corralled to specific areas and under the watch of guard dogs.
  • The drought in Northern Nevada is at its worst in 120 years, with less precipitation than normal across the region.
  • President Donald Trump's executive orders have weakened the nation's firefighting force by hitting support staff, with documents obtained by ProPublica showing a high vacancy rate within the U.S. Forest Service.

Sources:

  • Reno Fire Department
  • High Desert Graziers
  • Nevada Division of Forestry
  • ProPublica
  • University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality