Goat grazing & brush clearing in Oakland
After the 1991 firestorm, the Oakland hills became one of California’s most committed adopters of goat grazing for fuel reduction.
Fire risk in Oakland
The 1991 Tunnel Fire — the Oakland hills firestorm — killed 25 people and destroyed nearly 3,000 homes, and it changed how the East Bay thinks about fuel. Oakland has been one of California’s most committed adopters of goat grazing ever since; herds on the hills are a summer institution.
What we clear in Alameda County
Our herds handle brush clearing, weed control, poison oak and invasive vegetation, hillside vegetation management, and seasonal fire-fuel reduction across the Bay Area region. Goats work terrain that's unsafe for mowers and slow for hand crews — steep slopes, rocky ground, and dense brush — and because they eat what they clear, there's no hauling and no dump fees.
- Brush clearing
- Weed control
- Fire-fuel reduction
- Poison oak
- Invasive plants
- Hillsides
Good to know
We serve all of California with about a 5-acre minimum per project (neighbors sometimes combine adjacent parcels). The herd arrives with temporary electric fencing and professional herders; we just ask for trailer access and ideally a water source. Peak season runs March–July — Oakland properties preparing for fire season should book early.
See how the process works → What affects pricing →
Common questions in Oakland
How much does it cost to rent goats in Oakland?
Every Oakland project is priced individually based on acreage, terrain, vegetation density, and access — as a rule of thumb, steeper and brushier costs more per acre than flat grass. We generally require about a 5-acre minimum per project in Alameda County to keep transport costs reasonable (neighbors often combine adjacent parcels). Request a free estimate with photos and we'll give you a real number, not a range.
When is the best time to schedule goat grazing in Oakland?
For fire-fuel reduction in the Bay Area region, the ideal window is late winter through early summer — after vegetation has grown but before it fully cures. Peak season runs March–July and our calendar fills fast, so Oakland properties preparing for fire season should book one to three months ahead. Off-season grazing works well for brush and invasive control.
Do goats really help with wildfire prevention in Alameda County?
Yes — targeted grazing is a recognized fuel-reduction method used by fire agencies, utilities, and municipalities across California, including in Alameda County. Goats reduce the fine fuels and ladder fuels that carry fire, and research on grazed rangelands shows less severe burns where herds have worked. Grazing is most effective as part of a broader defensible-space plan.
What areas around Oakland do you serve?
We serve all of Alameda County and the wider Bay Area region — if your property is near Oakland but not inside city limits, that's no problem. Tell us the location in your estimate request and we'll confirm scheduling for your area.
Ready to clear your Oakland property naturally?
Talk to a real person about your property and get a free estimate over the phone — we serve properties across California and generally require about a 5-acre minimum per project.
Call 1-858-751-GOATSee how it works