Burning season has ended, but you can still make your property safer this fire season. Fire Safe Sonoma (www.firesafesonoma.org) has approved free chipping services for our area!
This program provides free chipper service to Sonoma County residents engaged in making their property more wildfire safe by creating defensible space. Both programs have been generously funded by grants made possible by the USDA Forest Service (USFS) through the California Fire Safe Council. Priority will go to projects that take care of debris created from vegetation management within 150 feet of structures or along access roads.
To participate in the program, you simply cut your vegetation and pile it up according to program guidelines. Fire Safe Sonoma will send a chipper and crew to your property to chip up your cuttings. Online application forms may be found at:
Of course there is some work involved! Here are the program guidelines that need to be followed:
Chipping will only be done along road or driveway frontages which will allow the crew to safely work from the road or driveway.
Do not place piles along busy, heavily traveled roadways, where signage or additional crew would be required for crew safety.
Piles must be stacked with the cut ends facing the same direction, pointing towards access route to piles.
Piles must be placed within 5 feet of chipper access on the uphill side of road or driveway. And at least 10 feet away from power poles.
Make piles wider and spread out rather than taller.
Recently cut vegetation chips better than old dried out branches and shrubs. Old piles or materials may not be chipped by the contractor.
Piles must be free of roots or stumps, rocks and mud, poison oak, blackberries and other vines, Scotch or French broom and gorse.
Make certain there are no nails, wires or any metal pieces in wood. Do not put construction-type wood such as fence posts or 2x4s in your pile.
The chipper cannot chip rakings or piles of needles, leaves or duff.
The chipper can handle material up to 7” in diameter (no root balls).
All material chipped will be blown back onto the property. You are responsible for spreading out the piles of chips after the contractor has gone.
You do not have to be home when the chipper comes.
If the pile is not prepared per this checklist, it may not be chipped. You will be responsible for disposing of any unchipped materials.