Residents in many wildfire-prone communities throughout San Diego County can take advantage of a free chipping service to reduce fire hazard around their homes. Funding for this program is provided by a National Fire Plan grant from the Cooperative Fire Program of the U.S. Forest Service through the California Fire Safe Council.

California residents in wildfire-prone areas are required to have a minimum of 100’ of defensible space around their homes. A key component of creating defensible space includes thinning vegetation, often called fuel reduction. Disposing of this trimmed brush can be a challenge for homeowners, which is why the FSCSDC created this easy and free solution.

Residents who wish to take advantage of this free service must complete a Chipping Request Form, available at: https://ResourceConserverationDistrict.formstack.com/forms/free_chipping_program. Once the form is completed and all requirements of the program are met, the homeowner will be put on the chipping list. Trained, licensed, insured crews bring a chipper to the residence and chip vegetation that the homeowner has prepared. Chipped materials will be left on-site and can be used as mulch – an added benefit of the program.

Currently, thirty-three communities throughout San Diego County are eligible to participate in this program including Escondido, Greater Julian, Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Warner Springs, among others.

For more information about the No-Cost Chipping Program visit the FSCSDC website (www.firesafesdcounty.org) or call 619-562-0096. This program is funding dependent. Completion of the Chipping Request Form is not a guarantee that the property will be chipped. The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation; tax-deductible donations are welcome.