Many property owners impacted by the Valley Fire need to remove dead trees and other woody debris from their land before they can begin to rebuild, but disposal is difficult at this season when burning is not allowed. Not only is recovery impeded, the increased fuel load also heightens wildfire hazards for the current fire season.
The Lake County Resource Conservation District has partnered with the Lake County Air Quality Management District to offer chipping of brush, branches and tree trunks up to ten inches in diameter to owners of small parcels in the Valley Fire Recovery Area. The service is available at no cost to the landowner, who must first cut down the trees, limb them out, and haul woody materials (please no blackberries or poison oak!) to the edge of the road.
All owners of small residential parcels (one acre or less) in the Valley Fire Recovery Area are eligible for this free service, with scheduling priority given to those who intend to rebuild. Properties of up to two acres will be considered as capacity is available, and owners of larger properties may also be able to participate on a cost-sharing basis.
Chipping services outside the Recovery Area can be provided for a fee.
For more details and to apply, download the application form from www.lakercd.org/lc-rcd-chipper-program.html or contact Lake County RCD at 707 262-7089 and leave a message. For general program information you can also call the LCAQMD at 707 263 7000.
This project is made possible by a generous donation from LakeCountyRising#, a collaborative fundraising effort of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Winery Association, and Wine Alliance.
