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PRESS RELEASE. From the Fire Safe San Mateo County website.
Fire Safe San Mateo County Neighborhood Chipper Program
The Neighborhood Chipper Program is based on a “you cut, we chip” model. Residents are responsible for cutting, gathering and piling vegetation from around their homes to a roadside or dop-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 program is designed to assist homeowners/residents in maintaining defensible space.
The 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, volunteer fire departments and dedicated community volunteerins. It is funded through competitive grants and local support by San Mateo County (Measure K).
2022 CHIPPING DATESÂ
FOR SELECT NEIGHBORHOODS AND STREETS
El Granada – May 10-12, 2022
Select Streets:
- El Granada Blvd, addresses between 310-700
- Lewis Ave
- Dolphine Ave
- Highland Ave
- Ave Balboa, between Almeria and Palma
- San Juan Ave, addresses between 315-385
Butano Canyon – June 1, 2022
- Sign up required by May 1. Please contact George Collyer [email protected]
Kings Mountain West – Date is currently being scheduled
Select Streets – Tentative
- 11200-13130 Skyline Blvd; Misty Ridge Rd, and Quail Ct
- 13186-13424 Skyline Blvd; Forest View, Harkins, Comstock and Purisima Rd
- 13438-13700 Skyline Blvd; Ware Rd, Old Ranch, Big Pine Rd, Forest Rd, Megans Ln, and Redwood Terrace
- 13704-13890 Skyline Blvd; Henrik Ibsen Rd (275 Old Ranch Rd is in this block)
- 13896-14040 Skyline Blvd and all of Redwood Park (main neighborhood across from the Kings Mtn Fire Station)
- 14355 Skyline Blvd-14865 Skyline Blvd; >1940 Kings Mtn Rd, Blue Jay Way, Laughing Cow, Tunitas Cr Rd (489, 46, 1089, 1255, 1274),  Star Hill Rd, Swett Rd, Native Sons Rd (outside of NSGW Property), Durham Rd, and Sierra Morena
- 15600-16301 Skyline Blvd; Bear Gulch West (Skyline to 2200), Allen Rd, and Mountain Meadow
La Honda – Weekends: July 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 2022
- Drop off location on Entrada Way
Loma Mar/ Dearborn Park– June 15, 2022
- Sign up required –Â Loma Mar Chipper Program Interest Form
Montara – May 9-10, 2022
Select Streets
- Date St, at intersection of George St, going Northeast towards Franklin St
- San Pedro Mnt Rd
- 6th Street (turning into Harte St), between Le Conte Ave & Date St
Moss Beach – May 9-10, 2022
Select Streets
- Lancaster Blvd, east of HWY 1
- Vermont Ave, east of HWY 1
- Tierra Alta St
- Loma Vista St
- Linda Vista St
- Wave Ave
South Skyline – Spring 2022 and Fall 2022
- Spring sign up between March 1 – April 15.
- Fall sign up between September 1 – October 15.
- For questions please contact Ed Hayes at [email protected]
Select Streets
- Middleton
- Upper Alpine Rd
- Hwy 35 (South)
MORE INFORMATION
- 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 projects within San Mateo RCD district boundary (west side of HWY 280), please visit the RCD website for more information
- For more information on the La Honda drop-off chipping event visit the La Honda Fire Brigade website
Questions? Email [email protected] or call (650) 712-7765 x126
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:Â Give yourself a few weekends to do vegetation maintenance around your yard.
Piling Vegetation:Â Homeowners are required to pile vegetation in a pile that does not exceed10 ft wide, 10 ft long and 5 ft tall.
Chipping Schedule:Â 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 fire agency crews.
How are neighborhoods selected? Neighborhoods are chosen based on a risk-asset model for communities in unincorporated areas. New neighborhoods may be added as funding becomes available.
How do I get a chipping program for my community? The Chipping Program is looking for new communities for 2022 and beyond. Contact [email protected], 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.
Author: Coastside Buzz
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