It's one of the driest Februarys on record in Northern California and fire crews are working to clear brush ahead of the 2020 wildfire season.
But it's not just humans working to protect communities. Goats and sheep have taken over an open space in Rocklin's Whitney Ranch doing what they do best — eating. "The goats and sheep come out and they eat down the grass and the weeds, so they reduce the fire fuels," said Corrine Heisler, the city of Rocklin's Environmental Services Specialist. "That reduces the fire risk potential in the city."
Heisler said the animals are also gaining a fan following. For nearly eight years, the city has used the grazing program to help reduce fire risk. The animals usually start in early spring and work through the summer, Heisler said.