FAIRFIELD, Wash. — Leshay Goat Ranch & Rental, a company started in Cheney, travels across the Inland Northwest with more than 100 goats to help property owners mitigate wildfire risk.
"There's still dry foliage on the ground. They keep it down to a level where it doesn't spread so fast," said Les Camp, the co-owner of Leshay Goat Ranch & Rental.
The goats get fed and landowners get peace of mind that their property has a lower chance of catching fire during the hot and dry summer months.
"...try to do as much as we can to help the fire department in case there's an emergency," said Camp.
Camp says the goats eat up to five feet of foliage off the ground, which lowers the possibility of wildfire spread across the land and up trees.
And it's a business that just keeps growing.
"We started with 13 goats, and we're probably pass about 300 to 400 goats through the ranch a year now," said Camp.
Camp and his team have traveled to areas like Malden, Pullman and Fairfield starting early in the summer and ending as late as November, depending on how long wildfire season sticks around.
Camp says this year is no different than any other for wildfires, but he still remains cautious, keeping his goats safely fenced in at each property they work at and watching for potential sparks.
"We don't even charge our fence most of the time just to make sure something doesn't go wrong," said Camp.
Camp keeps a close eye on his goats so that they can continue to help anyone who wants the service, as long as their area allows for it.
"There are some places that could really use our help, but the city doesn't allow goats within the city limits, so that does make a difference where we can't get in and help them out," said Camp.
For more information about Leshay Goat Ranch & Rental, visit their website here.