April 20, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- The City of Lemon Grove, along with its fire department, Heartland Fire & Rescue, will be taking steps to clear brush from eight and a-half acres near Lawton Drive and Camino De Las Palmas in Lemon Grove. Goats will be used as part of the process in clearing heavy brush to minimize fire danger and help create defensible space for homes in this area.
ELM began delivering 150 adult and 50 juvenile goats (kids) on Monday, April 18, 2016. The brush clearing event will last approximately 2 weeks. The goats may be visible to those traveling along the 125 freeway in the area of Lemon Grove during this weed abatement process.
“This type of brush abatement is a tremendous help to firefighters in protecting land and nearby homes from fast moving brush fires during our hot and dry summer months and the long fire season we deal with in San Diego County” says Heartland Fire Chief Rick Sitta.
The company being used for this project in Lemon Grove, Environmental Land Management (ELM), is the same company that was used in El Cajon to create defensible space in a heavy grass hillside along a section of the I-8 corridor. In 2011, a brush fire ignited at the base of this hillside, but the brush clearing by the goats, along with prudent weed abatement by homeowners assisted in the protection of several homes at the top of the hillside. The home owners’ 100 foot defensible space, and the abatement process involving the goats, allowed firefighters to keep the fire from the homes on Hacienda Drive, rendering no harm to structures.
Attached is a notice delivered toproperty owners surrounding this site. This notice provides some brief information on the work that will be performed and guidelines for neighbors to follow regarding the goats.
For more information on this weed abatement project, please contact Heartland Fire & Rescue Fire Marshal Chris Jensen. His number is (619) 667-1472