Armed with appetites and attitudes, brush-clearing goats will mow down weeds and shrubs from even the steepest of Southern California’s hillsides. Perfectly adapted to a life of constant browsing, these ruminants are being deployed as a shield against the region’s rampant wildfires. We join Ian Newsam, owner of Brush Goats 4 Hire, and his “elite” herd of goats as they reduce the invasive plants and fuel that contribute to the fires.

Credits Produced by Luke Groskin

Music by Audio Network

Additional Stills and Video Courtesy Henry the Goat, California Office of Emergency Management, U.S. Geological Survey, Youtube User “thatlocalsportsguy”