900 Sheep Graze Tepusquet Canyon to Prevent Wildfire
Santa Barbara County Supervisors Approve $250,000 Contract with Cuyama Lamb LLC
Credit: Courtesy Cuyama Lamb
Move over, Smokey Bear; make room for about 900 sheep, specially programmed to devour around 400 acres of grasses in dangerous abundance beneath the steep oak canopies of Tepusquet Canyon. At least, that was the county supervisors’ message last week when approving a $250,000 contract with Cuyama Lamb LLC to do just that.
Thus far, the sheep have devoured much of the grassy understory of 194 acres with another 200 to go. The sheep don’t feed on the pulpier chaparral that burns much hotter, but instead on the quick-flash grasses that burn without much provocation and spread in even a slight breeze.
“They do a good job,” said County Fire Marshal Rob Hazard.
