Laguna Beach Fuel Modification Goats On Docket For Tuesday's Council

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Laguna Beach goats are a longstanding fixture of the city's wildfire mitigation plans, but that is only a small part of how the city works to keep brush fires from occurring.

At Tuesday's City Council Meeting, the Laguna Beach City staff will be providing a comprehensive update on the City's Fuel Modification Program, including the program's achievements in 2022 and plans for the program in 2023.

In 2019, the council unanimously approved a wildfire mitigation plan which included the use of the favored goat herds to clear up to 80 percent of native grasses and 100 percent of non-native vegetation. The herds typically make one pass over each zone and are often seen roaming the hillsides. This year, more zones may be added, in conjunction with hand crews who clear up to 50 percent of the non-native vegetation, herbaceous weeds and grasses, according to the agenda. Herbicides are also used, as needed, in certain areas to curtail overgrowth.

The update for Tuesday's meeting will include additional outdoor warning sites, four more fire detection cameras and more undergrounding of power lines to keep residents safe.

For more on the comprehensive update, visit the city's website.