Projects - Fire Safe San Mateo

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 DATES

FOR SELECT NEIGHBORHOODS AND STREETS

Alpine Rd (lower) - June 15, 2022

Butano Canyon - June 1, 2022

Sign up required by May 1. Please contact George Collyer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Crestmoor (San Bruno) - September 12. Please contact Denise Enea This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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

Emerald Hills - October 4. Please contact Denise Enea This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Select Streets

Springdale
Glenloch
partial Sylvan
partial Lakeview

Highlands - August 15 & 16. Please contact Denise Enea This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hillsborough - June 13, and October 4. Please contact Denise Enea This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Select Streets - Tentative

Chateau St
Hayne St
Pinehill St
Robin Rd
Lookout Rd
Marlborough
Shady Ln
Carlton
Brandt Rd
La Salle
Cardigan
Kenilworth Rd
Caterbury Rd
Witwell
Knollcrest

Kings Mountain West - July 12. Please contact Denise Enea This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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

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

Palomar Park - June 7 and September 20. Please contact Denise Enea This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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: 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:
Chipping pile Examples 2 Chipping pile Examples 1 Chipper Program Infomatics pileandWidth

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 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.