Placer County Chipper Program offers free service before end of year

To encourage more defensible space work for wildfire protection, the Placer County Chipper Program is offering free residential services for any new requests made by Dec. 31. Cooler temperatures and precipitation in the forecast make it an appropriate time to maintain defensible space on your property, according to a release from the Placer Resource Conservation District (RCD). Defensible space is the buffer created between a building and surrounding grass, trees, shrubs and wildland areas. "Creating defensible space helps slow or stop the spread of wildfire and helps protect firefighters who may need to defend your home," the RCD release stated. Normally, the service fee is $80 per hour, with a one-hour minimum charge. The Placer County Chipper Program is waiving the service fee for new requests submitted before Dec. 31 to encourage more defensible space work during the winter months. Piles must be ready for service at the time the request is made. Residents are asked to not make a request until piles are ready to be chipped. Crews cannot work over snow or in muddy conditions. Wood piles must be situated in an area accessible by truck on a paved surface. The current wait time to receive the service is one to two weeks. Last year, more than 1,000 properties were served by the Placer County Chipper Program. To request service, visit placerrcd.org/projects/chipper program or call 530-889-0111, ext. 3, and leave a message with your name, site address, phone number and location of brush pile.