San Bernardino County, CA (April 20, 2026) — As Southern California prepares for an early and active fire season, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has deployed a herd of approximately 400 goats across its privately owned Arrowhead Springs property to reduce wildfire fuel loads in fire-prone areas of the San Bernardino Mountains.
The goats are working primarily along the Front Country, an area historically impacted by some of California’s largest wildfires, where dense vegetation and dry conditions create heightened risk. The targeted grazing effort is part of a broader land stewardship strategy led in coordination with the Tribe’s fire and land management teams, focused on reducing combustible vegetation while supporting long-term ecosystem health.
Targeted grazing offers a cost-effective, environmentally responsible, and culturally aligned approach to land management. By naturally clearing invasive grasses and dense brush across more than 300 acres, the goats help reduce wildfire fuel loads while encouraging the growth of native grasses and beneficial plant species, preserving root systems, and stabilizing soil.
The operation is a family affair as kids, billies, and nannies move across hillsides and open spaces, consuming vegetation that would otherwise fuel wildfires. Goats naturally target grasses and scrub at eye level, helping preserve root systems, stabilize soil, and support long term ecological balance.
This year, the stewardship effort is enhanced by advanced drone surveys used to measure and quantify fire fuel loads, including volumetric fuel reduction before and after grazing. The aerial data provides the Tribe with precise, science based insights into how much vegetation is being removed and where additional mitigation may be needed, while also offering compelling visual documentation of wildfire prevention efforts.
Together, targeted grazing and drone based monitoring reflect a broader commitment to stewardship, a value deeply rooted in Yuhaaviatam tradition and a responsibility to care for the land for future generations.
Beyond their environmental benefits, the goats have proven to be highly effective. In previous seasons, areas treated through targeted grazing have helped slow or stop wildfire progression, demonstrating real world impacts that protect communities, wildlife habitat, and regional infrastructure.
The herd will remain active over the coming months, moving strategically across designated areas to reduce fire risk while supporting the health and resilience of the surrounding ecosystem.