Goats get the go-ahead to graze

Goats may not be the most discriminating grazers, but they are the cheapest and most agile creatures for clearing brush that could fuel a wildfire, according to Fire Chief Mike Macey.

Macey listed the pros and cons of using the goats in a report presented Tuesday to the City Council. The report was made at the request of the council, prompted by concerned residents who offered alternatives in certain areas, including a surprising recommendation to use water cannons as a weapon rather than fuel breaks to create defensible space for firefighters.

“Sometimes a threat presents an opportunity for innovation,” said Michael Beanan on behalf of the South Laguna Civic Assn.

“Water is still the most effective means to stop a fire from spreading. We have an overabundance of reclaimed water at the Coastal Treatment Plant in Aliso Canyon that can be used to properly irrigate fuel mod zones in South Laguna and Three Arch Bay. This new water supply can saturate the area immediately prior to and during an actual fire event and allow firefighters to work in a presoaked environment. The use of reclaimed water enables fire crews to use potable water for fire suppression and effectively triples the amount of water available to extinguish flames.

“Every gallon of water recycled for FMZ [fuel modification zone] protection is also one less gallon of ocean pollution from the sewer outfall or urban runoff,” Beanan said.

City Manager Ken Frank said he would not favor the use of water in some of the hillside areas. Laguna Beach has numerous south-facing hillsides that could be vulnerable to landslides precipitated by overabundant rainfall or poorly conceived irrigation.

Macey’s report included a brief history of the city’s fuel modification programs, existing operations and cost comparisons for alternate programs.

The goats have the edge on points, but the game plan could be improved.

“In addition to goats being fiscally effective, they are also advantageous in their ability to work in all types of weather and terrain conditions,” Macey said. “Conversely, goats are not selective in their grazing and rely on diligent management practices to maximize their efficiency.”

It is the converse that worries opponents to the use of the goats in environmentally sensitive habitat areas, known to preservationists as ESHAs.