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County CHIPPER PROGRAM Back in Mid-May 2021 for El Granada, Moss Beach and Montara
May 18th, 2021 - May 20th, 2021
Last year, in 2020, the community chipping program was yet another tremendous success due to the support of the community, San Mateo County Fire Safe Council, The Resource Conservation District and volunteers who helped staff the event.
The first program concluded just prior to the start of the CZU Lightning Complex and as soon as the imminent fire threat had diminished we were approached to host a second round of community chipping.
This second round of chipping was only made possible by community volunteers who helped staff the site for an additional three weeks to get the job done.
The combined effort removed almost 800 loads of brush from the yards of residents throughout our community.
If a fire were to impact our community these efforts would help firefighters better defend our homes and our community.
The Neighborhood Chipper Program is based on a “you cut, we chip” model.
Home owners are responsible for cutting, gathering and piling vegetation from around their homes to a roadside or drop-off location.
We will provide chipping crews who visit neighborhood-by-neighborhood to chip vegetation either back on site or for removal. Chips will be hauled off at no cost.
The Neighborhood Chipper Program is a collaborative effort between Fire Safe San Mateo County, Woodside Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE, San Mateo Resource Conservation District, South Skyline Fire Safe Council and volunteer fire departments.
The program provides no-cost chipping to select neighborhoods to assist homeowners in maintaining defensible space.
Funds for this program are through grant and local funding by program partners (Measure K).
2021 CHIPPING DATES
FOR SELECT NEIGHBORHOODS AND STREETS
Crestmoor (San Bruno) – 7/12
Butano Canyon – 6/1-3
Devonshire – 8/16
El Granada – 5/18-20
- 400-700 El Granada Blvd
- Lewis Ave
- Dolphine Ave
- Highland Ave
- Del Monte Ave
- 600-620 Ave Portola
- Dolores St
- 555-315 San Juan
Highlands – 8/3-4
Hillsborough – 6/7
Kings Mountain West – 7/13
La Honda – 7/10-11, 7/17-18, 7/24-25, & 7/31-8/1
- Drop off location on Entrada Way
Loma Mar/ Dearborn Park – 6/14-16
- 1064-20 Wur Rd
- Dearblorn Park
Montara – 5/17
- Drake St
- Date St
- Elm St
- Hawthorne St
- Howells St
- Crescent St
Moss Beach – 5/17
- 601-775 Lancaster Blvd
- Vue de Mar Ave
- 600-874 Vermont Ave
- Carlos St
- Buena Vista St
Palomar Park – 6/8 & 9/21
San Juan Canyon (Belmont) – 4/27-28
South Skyline – 4/26 & 10/15
- Middleton
- Upper Alpine Rd
- Hwy 35 (South)
Weekend Acres (Menlo Park) – 6/15
Neighborhoods are chosen based on a risk-asset model for communities in unincorporated areas. New neighborhoods may be added as funding becomes available.
- For communities within Woodside Fire District (Woodside, Vista Verde, Portola Valley, Emerald Hills, Skyline) visit the Woodside Fire District website for information on treatment schedules.
- South Skyline communities- visit South Skyline Fire Safe Council’s website for more information on their Chipping Program
- For more information on the La Honda drop-off chipping event visit the La Honda Fire Brigade website
Questions? Email fire@sanmateoRCD.org or call (650) 297-4179
GUIDELINES
To keep the program running smoothly and safely, there a few easy tips for homeowners participating in this program. Not adhering to the guidelines may result in your pile not being chipped.
Removing Vegetation: Give yourself a few weekends to do vegetation maintenance around your yard.
Piling Vegetation: Homeowners are required to pile vegetation in a pile that does not exceed10 ft wide, 10 ft long and 5 ft tall.
Chipping Schedule: Chipping is scheduled for communities for spring, summer and fall. See above for details on when the chipper visits your neighborhood. Make sure to give yourself enough time to cut and pile your vegetation.
| DO | DON’T |
| Create defensible space to about 100 feet from structures & 30 feet from access roads. | Piles cannot include roots, stumps, rocks and mud. |
| Cut ends must face the same direction and point out toward the chipper location. | Piles cannot include poison oak, Scotch or French broom after it seeds, blackberry and vines. |
| Piles must be easily accessible from a private road, driveway, or lane with good access. | Piles of leaves, pine needles or yard clippings cannot be chipped |
| Piles must be within 8 feet of the road and 5 feet or less in height and about 10 feet long (10x10x5 maximum) | Piles must be free of all non-vegetative materials (trash, metal, wire, etc). |
| Material to be chipped must be less than 8 inches in diameter. | This program will not chip for: timber harvest projects, tree farms, new construction or vacant lots. |
DO: DON’T:
FAQ
Who does the chipping? Chipping is done by professional contractors or CAL FIRE crews.
How do I get a chipping program for my community? The Chipping Program is looking for new communities for 2022. Contact fire@sanmateoRCD.org, for advice on how you can develop a chipping program for your community. Funding for chipping programs is generally reserved for high priority, fire risk communities.
