I live on a hillside in Lemon Grove, California, situated at the end of a dead-end street, and the surroundings have become a significant concern for safety and environmental reasons. The hillside, leading down into a canyon, frequently becomes overgrown with dry weeds that pose a serious fire hazard. With local individuals often using the area for illicit activities—such as drug use and other inappropriate behaviors—I’m left cleaning up discarded items, including dispensary products, almost daily. My fear of these activities inadvertently starting a fire is overwhelming.

The threat isn't merely hypothetical; wildfires in California have shown time and again how quickly such fires can spread, especially in areas not properly maintained. According to Cal Fire, in 2021 there were over 8,700 fires that burned more than 2.5 million acres across California. This statistic represents not only the environmental impact but also the potential risk to life and property. Lemon Grove must take action to prevent becoming a part of these sobering statistics.

There is a sustainable and efficient solution at our disposal—goats. Goats have been used effectively in wildfire prevention across different parts of California. They provide an eco-friendly, efficient method for clearing vegetation, particularly on steep and hard-to-reach terrains like our hillside. Unlike mechanical clearing that can damage the terrain or other half-measures that have proven ineffective, goats naturally eat weeds, helping to maintain the hillside sustainably.

I am urging the city of Lemon Grove to incorporate a yearly budget plan for maintaining our hillsides through the use of goats. This includes ensuring that goats are a part of an ongoing maintenance strategy rather than relying on temporary or inadequate measures. By planning and allocating resources annually, the city can significantly reduce the fire hazards posed by the dry, unmanaged vegetation.

The well-being and safety of Lemon Grove residents should be a priority. An investment in our community's safety is an investment in our future. Let’s put a proactive, organized plan in place to protect our hillside from both natural and human-made threats.

Please join me in urging our city officials to take immediate action by signing this petition. Let's safeguard Lemon Grove for current and future generations.