As Southern California braces for an early and potentially severe fire season, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has deployed roughly 400 goats across its Arrowhead Springs property to reduce wildfire fuel in high-risk areas of the San Bernardino Mountains.
The herd is focused along the Front Country, a region historically impacted by some of California’s largest wildfires, where dense vegetation and dry conditions increase danger. The targeted grazing effort is part of a broader land stewardship strategy coordinated with the Tribe’s fire and land management teams, aimed at reducing combustible growth while supporting long-term ecosystem health.
Using goats for vegetation management is both cost-effective and environmentally sound. Across more than 300 acres, the animals naturally clear invasive grasses and thick brush, lowering fire risk while promoting native plant growth, preserving root systems, and stabilizing soil.
The herd—made up of kids, billies, and nannies—moves steadily across hillsides and open land, consuming vegetation that would otherwise fuel wildfires. Their grazing habits help maintain ecological balance by targeting surface-level growth without damaging underlying root structures.
This year’s effort is strengthened by advanced drone surveys that measure fire fuel loads before and after grazing. The data provides precise insights into how much vegetation is removed and where additional mitigation is needed, while also offering visual documentation of the Tribe’s wildfire prevention work.
Together, targeted grazing and drone-based monitoring reflect a broader commitment to stewardship—one deeply rooted in Yuhaaviatam tradition and responsibility to protect the land for future generations.
The approach has already proven effective. In past seasons, grazed areas have helped slow or stop wildfire spread, protecting nearby communities, wildlife habitat, and infrastructure.
The goats will remain in place in the coming months, moving strategically across designated areas to continue reducing fire risk while supporting a healthier, more resilient landscape.