Now it's a crime to use gas trimmers in my California city just as fire season kicks off...

[grantiago]

I've seen small herds of goats on fields here recently, they clear cut pretty fast!

Using Goats to Prevent Wildfires

Communities worried about the ravages of wildfires are embracing a four-legged solution

www.smithsonianmag.com

Goats didn't work for me. You have to get them on the grass when it is green. They prefer roses, ornamentals, fruit tree blossoms, native grasses: anything you want them to eat, they won't. Everything you like -- they like even more. They followed me around like a dog. I already have a dog. The idea is appealing. The reality is I now have three less fruit trees. Did I mention they like tree bark. If you have a strongly fenced field that is 100% what you want the goats to eat it works. If you have any sort of mixed vegetation, they wont touch the cheat grass, crested wheat grass etc. Many of the weeds you want them to control are perennials. So in essence you are making the root stock stronger. On the other hand they will devour your prized plants. I no longer have goats. Sold the goats and bought a sthil fs91 and a couple back pack sprayers: glyposphate, two4D and panoramic SL.

goats devour boise neighborhood.
They city was trying to control Rush Skeleton Weed in the foothills. Perennial -- they forgot to think that one out.

I think the goats I sold were in this herd. Don't worry animal lovers, they have been released on bond. ;-)

 

[ultrarunner]

Oakland hills. Had a really bad fire there some years ago. bunches of houses burned to the ground...in part because people weren't allowed to cut brush back and in part because the FD left the scene too soon and it reignited (it my memory serves me correctly.)

Yes... 3000 homes burned it was total destruction with lives lost and some surviving only by using their wits...

 

[WetChicken]

I am so glad I live in NH about as far away from CA that I can be.

On a positive note, Ultra runner, if your work is that critical, then there must be some way to be associated with, or get a permit or similar from one or another organization.
Good luck and stay safe.

 

[Gord Baker]

Pretty soon, Kalifornians will be back to using Scythe's and armstrong labor. No need for a gas motor or a Li-Ion battery, just good old fashion armstrong power.

Scythes must be hard rubber or brass so as to be non-sparking

 

[Flad]

Yes we also have some dopy bastards in law making hear in Australia, but not quite to that level of stupidity,
We have restrictions requiring fire extinguishers to be close at hand if you are using chain saws, Gasoline powered Machines ,tractors including ride on mowers all types no exceptions, Most new tractors come with fire extinguishers any way, angle grinders & welding are banned or restricted outside in summer in some states.

An easy solution would be to insist on having a fire watcher trained in the use of a fire extinguisher close at hand.
I would bet that very same Legislators would reject a bill to ban the sale or use of Fireworks in the same seasons They banned gas powered line trimmers.

Some one ought to tell these law makers to stop drinking their bath water or may be they are afraid of some one finding their weed plots.
Regard's

 

[Fielding]

LOL

Tell me Citiots (city idiots) are trying to micro manage rural areas, without telling me Citiots are trying to micro manage rural areas.

 

[FritoDriver]

Boy o boy, what a perfect thread to allow the outrage addicts a chance to vent. Made my day laughing at them!

 

[Deaddog]

Can you guys still bar-b-q? I read California was prohibiting such stuff due to the smoke.

Crazy.

MoKelly

Don't believe everything you read on the internet -- Abraham Lincoln

 

[MoKelly]

Don't believe everything you read on the internet -- Abraham Lincoln

I actually got his tweet a few weeks ago.
MoKelly

 

[blee03]

Battery powered equipment?
That’s cute!

Maybe in 10-20 years the batteries will be good enough, but we ain’t there yet.