In Spain, they have come up with an unusual way to fight fires — they’ve enlisted… goats

In Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain, it was decided that all means are good in the fight against forest fires — even the most unexpected ones. Now, the role of “firefighters” is played not only by machinery and people but also by an entire herd of goats.

About three hundred animals roam the outskirts of the city of Mataró every day, greedily eating dry grass, bushes, and even thorns, which can easily catch fire in the heat. The goats work under the supervision of two shepherds, who were not farmers before: one was a water sports instructor, the other a musician. Now they travel around the region without staying in one place, clearing new areas.

The project is funded by the European Union and has already received approval from local authorities. According to them, the results are clear: even during last year’s severe drought, there were fewer fires. This is because the dry vegetation, which usually serves as fuel for the fire, simply disappears — thanks to the goats.

Interestingly, the job is not only useful but also tasty: milk from these “firefighter” animals is valued by cheesemakers — it is sweet, rich, and nutritious, with a flavor that changes with the seasons. However, the shepherds themselves say they are not doing it for profit but because they want to live closer to nature and help the land.

It seems that sometimes, to stop a fire, you don’t need fire trucks — you need hooves, horns, and a good appetite.