Furry rescue squad: Oregon uses goats to prevent wildfires

A town in Oregon has hired a dedicated team to reduce the risk of bushfires - each team member has four hooves. The story of unusual rescuers told the publication CNN.

Photo: Shutterstock

Forest Grove, a city 25 miles (40 km) east of Portland, Oregon, uses a herd of 230 vegetation-eating goats as a tool to thin undergrowth in undeveloped urban estates, forests and parks.

Oregon was recently devastated by a series of wildfires that burned more than 470 acres (000 hectares) of land. Many goats have been evacuated, some have lost their homes.

During a forest fire, accumulated plant material can act as fuel, thereby increasing the likelihood of catastrophic consequences. Maintaining vegetation near homes, forests, or other undeveloped areas reduces the likelihood of wildfires spreading and makes life and property less vulnerable, according to the US Department of the Interior's Wildfire Administration.

Therefore, Forest Grove has been using goats for vegetation maintenance for the past four years.

“Goats are efficient and fast. They're cheaper than manual labor, ”said Forest Grove Park Manager Matt Baum.

This season, the animals were brought to Forest Grove for their duties on Monday 21 September. They will have to clear nearly 14 acres (5,6 ha) of grass. Their maintenance costs $ 800 per day (together with the costs of gathering and mobilization).

On the subject: Fires and hurricanes: how to prepare for an emergency evacuation

Healing hooves herder Craig Madsen has a particular interest in using goats to remove vegetation. With over 25 years of pasture management experience, he transports his goats throughout the Northwest to serve cities and private landowners looking for effective ways to deal with fires and thickets.

Upon arrival, Madsen releases the goats from his trailer and guides them with an electric fence to the undergrowth, which must be thinned out.

Goats love to work even on steep slopes.

Madsen says that goats work even in places that are more difficult for humans to reach.

“They work in problem areas that are difficult to handle,” Madsen said. "When the steepness of the slope gets in the way or some other difficulty appears, goats come and they do not mind climbing the steepest slopes."

But this is far from the only benefit from these domestic artiodactyls. Their curious and playful nature attracts bystanders, Madsen said. Among other things, they serve as a teaching aid.

“It's amazing to see 230 goats,” Baum said. "They're like a machine."

Read also on ForumDaily:

Orange sky over San Francisco: passenger filmed incredible video of plane flying through smoke

2020 is a bright year: experts say the future will only get worse

An abnormal 2020 continues: hurricanes, droughts and floods are yet to come

Hurricane protection: will insurance cover disaster damage

Fires and hurricanes: how to prepare for an emergency evacuation

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.