Hundreds of goats help clear acres of dry brush in San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KGO) -- In San Rafael, fire officials are asking for 100 feet of clearance between brush and structures. They need it for defensible space in this high-danger fire season. And to help them with the job - a group that doesn't complain, doesn't need overtime, and doesn't need lunch breaks.

Dave Davenport with the San Rafael Parks Department brought in the 250 goats that have eaten through 15 acres of fire and flood-prone brush in less than a month.

And Jared McDaniel, who manages vegetation for the fire department, has watched problem areas get chewed away.

"I think it's bizarre," he said. "The stuff they're actually eating does not look good."

Just a few feet away, Steven DeLorenzi knew nothing about the goats being behind his office until he opened a back door and saw them there.

"You're saving gas on dump runs, you're saving fuel on back and forth," he said. "Yeah you want the labor force out there and create employment. But sometimes it's not practical."