FireSmart Chipping Program

Landscaping and yard clean-up can significantly reduce the risks of home ignition during a wildfire event. This program assists RDNO residents with curbside removal of chippable material from private property by picking up some pruning materials from FireSmart activities.

After registering for the pilot program, a contractor will remove accepted materials from the property’s curbside. Only registered residents will have chippable material removed. If unable to register for this program, the following RDNO facilities accept residential yard and garden waste for FREE!

• Greater Vernon Diversion & Disposal Facility
• Lumby Diversion & Disposal Facility
• Kingfisher Transfer Station
• Armstrong/Spallumcheen Diversion & Disposal Facility (in limited quantities). 

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Step 1: Register Here while spots last! This program is for Electoral Area residents ONLY. All other residents must reach out to their local municipality for information on FireSmart programs in their area (Coldstream, Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby, Spallumcheen)

*RDNO reserves the right to limit chipping per property and close registrations based on funding and program capacity limits. 

Step 2: Wait for a confirmation email containing your pickup date. You MUST receive a confirmation email to participate in this program.

Step 3: Clean up and pile accepted debris (listed below) at the property line by pick up date.  For safety of the crew, ensure the butt ends are directed to the road, or at the designated drop-off zone in a maximum of six piles, no larger than 3’x3’x8’. This service is curbside only - crews will not enter gated communities or private property. Debris must be accessible from the roadway.

Step 4: Ensure the material is not blocked for pick-up by crews and proceed with other FireSmart activities around your property. 

2025 RDNO FireSmart Chipping Program - 1st Round

Things to Know about Chipping Pick-Up:

• Each property is limited to ~15 minutes of chipping, and RDNO reserves the right to limit the time at one property based on funding available or end the program without prior notice.
• On the day of pick-up, the material must be ready by 7 am at the property’s curbside and be accessible from the public roadway. Crews will not enter gated communities or private property. All debris must be accessible from the roadway.
• Curbside pick-up may not be available in all areas. After registering, your confirmation email with a date of service will inform you if a community drop-off location must be used instead.
• Commercial pruning or tree disposal materials will not be accepted. This program is intended for residential "home" fuel mitigation projects only.  

Accepted Materials:

Materials must be under 6” in diameter and piled with the butt ends all in one direction, pointing to the road. 

• Pruning material
• Natural woody debris
• Tree limbs and saplings
• Stems
• Cedars
• Junipers
• Pine
• Conifers

Not Accepted Materials:

• Roots, dirt or rocks
• Thorns or invasive species
• Stumps
• Fabric
• Fencing
• Leaves
• Netting and other non-vegetated landscaping 
• Gardening waste
• Commercial pruning or tree disposal materials.

Materials will not be picked up if:

• The materials are piled on the roadway, they MUST be at curbside and NOT on the road.
• The materials are tied with wire, rope or anything non-compostable.
• Any material that is bagged – plastic or paper is not allowed.

Open Burning

RDNO encourages safe open burning practices wherever possible to help stretch funding as far as possible. For requirements and permits, visit our Open Burning page. 

For more ideas and best practices, please refer to:

• FireSmart^TM landscaping Hub for more ideas
• FireSmartBC™ for best practices
• FireSmart BC Emergency Wildfire Preparedness Checklist 
• RDNO Emergency Managment  for more tips on how to prepare 
• RDNO Alertable for free emergency notifications 
• Prepared BC for guides and checklists

Contact us at firesmart@rdno.ca for more information!