Sheep being used to cut down brush at Skofield Park in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Santa Barbara City Fire Department is using sheeps to graze brush at Skofield Park starting Wednesday.

The sheep are being used to minimize overgrown vegetation to prevent the spread of wildfire.

Skofield park is located in the northern part of Santa Barbara off of Las Canoas Road.

Over 100 sheep will spend the next two weeks thinning overgrowth brush in the seven acres area of the southern section of the park.

They will be grazing from September 21 to October 5.

The City has contracted Cuyama Lamb LLC to provide the sheep.

By using sheep to graze the brush, it lessens the impact of emissions from chainsaws and wood chippers.

The site went through a biological evaluation to ensure that the best management practices are followed and ecological resources are protected.

The project is funded through the Wildland Fire Suppression Assessment District.

This project is part of the City's effort to improve wildfire safety in the City and in surrounding areas.

The City is asking visitors to maintain a respectful distance from sheep and to make sure that dogs are leashed at all time.

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