A firebreak is a strip of ground where fuel has been reduced, so that a grass or brush fire has less to burn and firefighters have a place to stand. Fuel breaks along property lines, driveways and roads are common in California. Goats can help build them, and they are especially good in places where machines are awkward.

What a break does and does not do

A break slows and weakens a ground fire. It does not stop a fire driven by wind and embers, which can jump a gap. That is why fire agencies treat fuel reduction as part of a plan that also includes the house itself and the first few feet around it. See home hardening and CAL FIRE's defensible-space zones.

Where breaks make sense

Along the property boundary, especially where it meets wildland.
Both sides of a driveway, so that a fire does not trap people or block fire engines.
Along fences and access roads. Fence lines collect weeds and brush because they are hard to mow.
Around outbuildings, tanks and equipment.

How wide?

It depends on the local rules and the slope. Some codes call for several feet of cleared ground on either side of a road, and wider breaks on steeper land. Ask your fire agency what applies. We do not set the width. We help meet the one you are given.

How goats build one

A herder fences a long, narrow strip, so the herd works along the line and eats everything inside. The strip is moved along as the herd goes. The method suits fence lines and road edges, which tend to be long and thin.

They eat brush, weeds and vines that a mower cannot reach.
They work on slopes and in rough ground at the edge of the road.
They leave the roots in place, so the soil stays held.

Where goats need help

The last few inches. Goats leave stubble. UC guidance for grass near buildings is about three to four inches, and a mower or string trimmer can finish an edge that a herd left taller.
Dead material. Dry grass litter and dead stems are less appealing than green growth.
Trees and limbs. Lower branches over the break may need pruning by a crew.
Maintenance. A break is not permanent. Weeds return every year, so it needs to be redone annually.

A practical combination

Many owners use goats for the heavy brush and the hard terrain, and mowing for the final pass along the road edge. Used that way, each does what it does best. For a comparison of the options, see goats vs. mowing, herbicides and machines.

If your break is a mile of fence line, book early. See when to book.

Grazing a Firebreak Along Your Fence Line and Driveway