Signing up for the chipper…

The chipper in action....

Ron Garner says Firewise communities can use the free chipper…here’s more:

New & Existing Firewise Communities Eligible for Free Chipper Time

Communities that have joined the Firewise program by February 12, 2010 are eligible to use a chipper in their community for a half-day. San Juan Island Fire Department/Department of Natural Resources will bring a chipper and staff to operate it, for chipping woody debris collected by the residents and placed along the common roads in your community. Be sure to pile the branches with their butt-ends facing the road. With the chipper and help from the residents, a community can become a safer place to live.

To be eligible, the community must have started the process of joining the free Firewise program by February 12th. The chipping will start on March 1st. To join the Firewise program, SJI Fire Department will assist areas with organizing, assessing and completing all paperwork, which is minimal. This program is free.

The Firewise program helps homeowners protect themselves and homes from wild fires. Such simple actions as cleaning the gutters in June, filling pot holes and keeping a 12×12 foot opening along all driveways and roads for fire truck access will be a start toward self protection.

This free service is available to existing Firewise Communities, also. For more information or to sign up, view the Firewise website at firewise.org or contact Ron Garner, 378-7722 or Tom Odegard, 378-3213.

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