The True GOATS of Wildfire Mitigation

Lockheed Martin has always been committed to wildfire mitigation. From the Sikorsky FIREHAWK aircraft to the C-130 Hercules airlifter to climate intelligence capabilities, we have a longstanding history of supporting rapid responders and our neighboring communities.

The latest and greatest in wildfire mitigation innovation? Bringing in 1,200 goats to our Littleton, Colorado facility to help with the cause.

Preventing Wildfires

Preventative measures like properly storing flammable materials and clearing fire fuels are crucial for wildfire mitigation.

Conversely, overgrown vegetation and droughts can create ideal conditions for wildland fires-two factors Colorado has in abundance.

Why Goats?

Goats effectively clear hazardous fire fuels due to their ability to:

• Vigorously consume fire prone vegetation like weeds, scrub oak and poisonous plants.
• Trample grazing areas to bare dirt.
• Navigate rocky terrain and landscapes that would be inaccessible or cumbersome for equipment or firefighters.

While prescribed burns to thin vegetation are a viable option for wildfire mitigation, this method is more dangerous, not as sustainable and oftentimes less effective than using goats.

Partnering for the Good of the Herd

Goat Green, our fire mitigation partner and keeper of our new four-legged friends, helps to manage large acreages and inaccessible areas across the Western region of the U.S.

This particular breed of goats is indigenous to the Himalayas, making their ideal habitat high, dry and cold - just like Colorado's mountainous landscape during the fall and winter.

By harnessing the power of nature through the use of 1,200 goats, we are not only reducing the risk of wildfires, but also fostering a unique connection between our organization and the environment.

Commitment to Sustainability and Community Stewardship

Goats are just one way Lockheed Martin is committed to protecting the communities in which we live and work.

Through climate intelligence capabilities, we can also offer near real-time data to wildland firefighters to aid them in their mission of predicting, detecting and mitigating wildfires.

Our recent GeoXO Lightning Mapper (LMX) contract win also means we'll be providing our customers with expanded capabilities to provide better data for predicting wildfire ignition points. This instrument will detect and measure lightning flashes while onboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s GeoXO weather satellites, also developed by Lockheed Martin, to help first responders better predict where a lightning strike may cause a fire.