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Council approves goat-grazing contract to expand fuel-modification zones starting in April
Summary
Laguna Beach approved a new grazing contract and oversight plan that calls for up to 500 goats per herd, daily on-site inspection by the fire inspector and an initial focus on Dartmoor and Skyline/Alta Laguna zones.
The Laguna Beach City Council unanimously approved a recommended contract to resume and expand a goat-grazing fuel-modification program intended to reduce wildland fire risk.
Fire department staff said the selected vendor can provide up to 500 goats per herd and that the department will begin grazing in the first week of April if the council approved the program. "Our inspector will go out, communicate, connect with them prior to unloading any of the goats," staff told the council, describing daily on-site supervision and a priority schedule for 10 zones; the first round will start in zones 1 and 2 (Dartmoor and Skyline/Alta Laguna).
Council members asked about oversight, public notice and the ability to scale herd size in wet seasons; staff said the contract allows flexibility and that schedules and zone maps will be posted and updated on the fire department web page. The council moved and approved the recommended action.
The authorization includes a monitoring requirement and a public schedule on the fire department’s webpage; staff said they will update maps for zones 16–19 to reflect current status and indicated Zone 19 is expected to start in July pending state permitting.
