Miramar Deployed Goats to Clear Wildfire Fuel
Installation managers are using targeted grazing to manage brush in hard-to-reach terrain.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Military Jobs
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Marine Corps Air Station Miramar launched a pilot program on September 15, 2026, using 471 goats to clear vegetation for wildfire prevention. The project targets more than 600 acres of steep terrain where mechanical clearing methods are difficult to deploy.
Why it matters
This strategy aims to protect military infrastructure and native habitats while avoiding the emissions, soil disturbance, and chemical runoff typically associated with mechanical brush removal. The program provides a novel model for wildfire mitigation in rugged areas where human crews face access constraints.
The pilot program utilizes 471 goats across an initial 600-acre sector, marking the first use of grazing for wildfire prevention at a U.S. military installation. This follows a regional baseline where Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton averages 101 wildfires per year.
The players
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
A major U.S. military installation that manages extensive training acreage and operational infrastructure.
Shepherdess Land and Livestock
A service provider that has specialized in targeted grazing vegetation management since 2020.
The details
The goats consume dry brush to create fire-resistant buffers, specifically targeting the explosive ordnance disposal training area. This approach allows the installation to clear vegetation in steep, complex canyon terrain that is often inaccessible to heavy machinery or traditional ground crews. The animals will rotate through different zones over the next five to six weeks to maximize coverage.
Timeline
September 15, 2026: The goat grazing program launched at Miramar.
September 2026 to October 2026: The goats are scheduled to remain on-site for the next 5 to 6 weeks.
Market Landscape
Targeted grazing has become an established vegetation management strategy since 2020, frequently used by public and private land managers to mitigate fire risks. Miramar’s adoption represents a departure from traditional mechanical clearing methods, aligning the military with modern environmental management precedents.
Operators in high-risk fire zones should monitor the pilot's performance as an alternative to expensive mechanical clearing or chemical management. The program’s results will determine whether targeted grazing becomes a standard procurement option for land maintenance contracts in Southern California.
The takeaway
This pilot demonstrates that biological vegetation management can effectively replace mechanical methods in difficult terrain. Managers should review their current fire-prevention maintenance contracts to determine if grazing services offer a viable, lower-impact alternative for upcoming fiscal cycles.
Further reading
For more on evolving workforce and facility management roles, see Military Jobs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Objectivist.
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