Believe it or not, these goats are helping firefighters stop wildfires in California.
Last October, a wildfire was raging in Southern California. The flames were approaching the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The building is home to pictures and documents from a past U.S. president. And it was in danger of being destroyed.
Firefighters raced against the clock to stop the fire. But it was moving fast. Just as the flames were closing in, the fire slowed down. Firefighters had time to save the important building, thanks to the hard work of some very hungry goats!
MARK RALSTON/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Incoming Flames
A fire approaches the library last fall.
The Perfect Tool
How did goats help stop a wildfire? By doing what they do best: eating . . . and eating . . . and eating! About 500 ravenous goats arrived at the library early last year. They devoured dry bushes, grasses, and weeds around the building. The goats gobbled down plants from an area bigger than 10 football fields!
So when a wildfire threatened the library in the fall, there were fewer dry plants in the area that could catch fire.This made it harder for the wildfire to spread. And it gave firefighters time to battle the blaze and save the library.
Goats may be just one of the tools that California uses to fight fires, but one thing is certain: They’re the cutest!
Can't Miss Teaching Extras
Goats aren’t the only way to prevent wildfires! Discover the ways (human) kids can prevent wildfires with this website from Smokey Bear.
Check out some fire-fighting goats in action in this charming video from Business Insider.
Meet another type of goat, the cliff-scaling ibex, in this short video from PBS.
Goats aren’t the only animals on the job! Learn about a pig with an important airport job in this short but sweet story from our archives.
