Goat grazing & brush clearing in Chico
Chico sits beside some of the most fire-scarred foothill terrain in California — the region has leaned hard into fuel reduction since 2018, including grazing on public land.
Fire risk in Chico
The November 2018 Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise, roughly 15 miles from Chico, killing 85 people and displacing tens of thousands — many of whom relocated to Chico itself. The tragedy reshaped how Butte County approaches fuel reduction, and Chico has since run defensible-space grazing projects, including on channels like the Lindo Channel, as part of that shift.
What we clear in Butte County
Our herds handle brush clearing, weed control, poison oak and invasive vegetation, hillside vegetation management, and seasonal fire-fuel reduction across the Central Valley 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 10-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 — Chico properties preparing for fire season should book early.
See how the process works → What affects pricing →
Common questions in Chico
How much does it cost to rent goats in Chico?
Every Chico 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 10-acre minimum per project in Butte 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 Chico?
For fire-fuel reduction in the Central Valley 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 Chico 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 Butte County?
Yes — targeted grazing is a recognized fuel-reduction method used by fire agencies, utilities, and municipalities across California, including in Butte 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 Chico do you serve?
We serve all of Butte County and the wider Central Valley region — if your property is near Chico 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 Chico 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 10-acre minimum per project.
Call 1-858-751-GOATGet a Free Estimate