Goats begin work to rid ranch of noxious weeds, prevent wildfires

CARSON CITY -- A unique group of fire prevention specialists has launched an effort to help rid Carson City of noxious weeds that fuel wildfires.

Plans call for about 150 goats to graze on the city-owned Quill Ranch near Kings Canyon over the next three weeks. A July 2004 wildfire near the area destroyed 17 homes.

Control or management of Russian knapweed, cheatgrass and other weeds is a good fuel-reduction practice required by state law, said Ann Bollinger, the city's open-space assistant.

The animals are being supervised by Gloria Montero of Fallon-based Weed Warriors, who also brought goats to the area last summer.

The goats won't have to spend as much time grazing this year because they covered about 10 acres last year.

The city prefers goats to pesticides because Quill Ranch is near one of the city's wells, Bollinger told the Nevada Appeal.

Herders will keep the goats inside an electric fence, and guard dogs will protect them.

Noxious plants are "detrimental or destructive and difficult to control or eradicate," according to the University of Nevada, Reno, Cooperative Extension.

Last month, about 100 goats were used to eradicate a prolific weed at Swan Lake near Reno.

It was the first time goats were deployed in Washoe County to combat whitetop, which destroys all other plants when it spreads and deprives wildlife of their food source.

The goats, which prefer broadleaf plants such as whitetop over grass, are expected to return to Swan Lake this summer to continue grazing.