How a team of hungry GOATS is helping to fight fires
<p>After the devastating bushfires that ravaged Australia in 2019 and 2020, the RFS is looking to unusual method to prevent history from repeating. </p>
<p>A new tactic adopted by the Rural Fire Service has been to put some furry friends to good use by doing what they do best: eating! </p>
<p>Hungry goats have been given the job of protecting towns that have been identified as an extreme bushfire risk this summer by grazing on all the grass and shrubs. </p>
<p>A herd of bucks and billies have been placed at <span>Clandulla village near Mudgee in NSW's Central West, after being loaned to the area by two local farmers. </span></p>
<p><span>They will be grazing on the land in Clandulla for the next two months, eating their way through the foliage that poses a fire risk.</span></p>
<p><span>"Goats will eat up shrubs, small tree saplings and eat woody weeds some of your other animals won't," farmer Michael Blewitt said.</span></p>
<p><span>While this </span>unique method of containing fires is a first for Australia, the tactic has been used and proven to work in the US, Spain and Portugal. </p>
<p><span>These goats are expected to clear more than two hectares over the next three weeks, creating a buffer zone to the village of 200 people.</span></p>
<p><span>While back burning is an efficient way of clearing fire hazards, it is often dependant on weather conditions, where </span>goats are happy to clear away grass, shrubs and bushes in rain, hail or shine. </p>
<p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>
