Dalmatia is on fire, and the solution may lie in the rubble: Can this animal stop the spread of the fire?

Dalmatia, once again facing catastrophic wildfires, is exploring new approaches to fire prevention, including the potential reintroduction of goats for controlled grazing on rocky terrain. The idea stems from historical practices that were abandoned nearly seven decades ago. In 1954, Yugoslav authorities enacted regulations effectively banning goat herding and grazing on the karst landscape, citing concerns that overgrazing would damage forest vegetation and hinder its regeneration. This led to a sharp decline in goat populations in Dalmatia, which in turn disrupted traditional methods of maintaining the region’s vegetation. Today, with wildfires becoming increasingly frequent and severe, officials and experts are revisiting this old practice as part of a broader strategy to reduce fuel loads before fires can start. The concept of using goats for controlled grazing has gained renewed interest due to their ability to clear low-growing vegetation such as grass, weeds, shrubs, and young shoots. On rocky and hard-to-reach terrains where mechanical clearing is impractical or impossible, goats could help reduce the amount of dry plant material that accumulates during long droughts, material that becomes highly flammable under extreme heat conditions. While goats cannot extinguish fires directly, they could contribute to reducing the intensity and spread of wildfires by minimizing available fuel. Historically, the ban on goat grazing was part of a broader policy aimed at protecting forests. Authorities believed that excessive grazing by goats would harm tree regrowth and degrade forest ecosystems. As a result, goats disappeared from many parts of the Dalmatian karst, and traditional land management practices involving them faded into obscurity. However, the current dense vegetation found in the region is not solely attributable to the absence of goats. Factors such as the abandonment of agriculture, rural depopulation, changes in land use, and climate change have all played a role in shaping today’s landscape. Despite these challenges, the possibility of reintroducing goats for controlled grazing is being seriously considered. Current Croatian legislation allows for grazing on certain state-owned forest lands, though it requires specific procedures and adherence to environmental protections. Amendments to the Forest Act in 2024 explicitly permit the leasing of forest land for grazing purposes, and a new Regulation on the Lease of Forest Land owned by the Republic of Croatia came into effect in March 2026. Under this regulation, forest land can be leased through public tenders for periods up to ten years. Grazing leaseholders must be registered farmers and possess livestock, with restrictions on the maximum area per animal, typically limited to 3.3 hectares per head, subject to exceptions. This legal framework opens the door for further discussion on whether controlled grazing can be systematically integrated into wildfire prevention efforts. Croatian Forestry could identify areas where controlled grazing might be particularly effective, especially in high-risk zones. Key questions include how much of the existing forest land is already used for grazing, whether there are ongoing projects related to controlled grazing, and whether pilot programs could be initiated to test the effectiveness of this approach. Experts emphasize that controlled grazing should not replace modern firefighting technologies but rather complement them. It could serve as a preventive measure, helping to maintain large areas of land with less combustible vegetation. Implementing such a system would require careful planning, including determining the number of animals, grazing duration, and measures to protect soil, forests, and biodiversity. The debate around controlled grazing highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to wildfire prevention in Dalmatia. While technological solutions remain crucial, incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and practices could offer additional benefits. The challenge lies in balancing ecological preservation with practical fire risk reduction strategies. With wildfires continuing to threaten the region, the potential role of goats in managing vegetation is gaining attention as a possible tool in the fight against fire.