Photo: File photo

RDOS hosting May FireSmart mobile wood chipping events

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and FireSmart will be running their annual mobile wood chipping events in several communities throughout May.

To help residents remove flammable materials from their properties, property owners can register their address for the mobile wood chipper that will chip accepted items collected on local properties.

Residents and neighbours are encouraged to work together to limb, trim, rake, thin and haul flammable debris to the chipper.

Upcoming events are in:

• Kilpoola spring chipping event and BBQ: Saturday, May 3 from approximately 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (mobile chipper only, no drop site is available). BBQ begins at 11:00 am at the information booth at the community bulletin board (Mail Box site on Richter Pass) Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/YHP4iQmaix
• Kaleden FireSmart chipping event: Saturday, May 3 from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (mobile chipper only, no drop site is available) To register, please email [email protected] Please note: The chipping contractor can only take up to 8 inches of material size. This event only applies to properties east of Highway 97.
• Naramata FireSmart mobile wood chipping event: Saturday, May 10 from approximately 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Naramata Fire Department tent and chipper drop site at Manitou Park: 9:30 a.m. to noon. Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/DLcgkggWDz
• Heritage Hills FireSmart mobile wood chipping event: Saturday, May 10 from approximately 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information booth and chipper drop site at the north end of Garnett Family Park at Heritage Hills: 9:30 a.m. to noon. Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/eB5BTJ73Zw
• West Bench FireSmart chipping event: Tuesday, May 20 from approximately 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (mobile chipper only, no drop site is available)Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/Pbwq2bjdgP

Only the following items will be accepted for the wood chipper:

• Branches, trees and twigs up to 12” in diameter
• Shrubs and bushes such as cedars or junipers (with no roots attached)

For further information, reach out to RDOS FireSmart Coordinator Hayden Zahrawi at 250-460-0518.