The Eaton’s Fireguards and Corridors project is an ecological and fire management initiative that reimagines fire mitigation strategies through the lens of habitat restoration and species conservation. Located in California’s wildfire-prone chaparral and desert transition zones, this project strategically integrates the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) into a multifunctional landscape system that serves both as a natural firebreak and as critical habitat rehabilitation. Wildfires in California have grown increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change, invasive plant species, and historical fire suppression policies. Traditional firebreaks—cleared strips of land—often lead to ecological fragmentation and require ongoing maintenance. In contrast, the Living Firebreak employs a regenerative design that leverages the natural grazing behavior of bighorn sheep to reduce fine fuels such as invasive grasses and low shrubs that are highly flammable.
