Wildfire defensible space · California
San Diego County Community Chipping Events
Run by County of San Diego with Fire Safe Councils, CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire, RCD
- What you get
- free disposal and chipping
- Who qualifies
- Residents in the area around each event.
- Where
- Residents near each hosted chipping event, such as Warner Springs, Julian, Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove and Escondido.
- Status
- Seasonal. Events vary; page last updated 2025-09-28.
- Type of payment
- Free installation
What you do
Bring cut brush and tree branches to a community event where a crew chips it free.
Requirements
- Branches up to 6 inches in diameter
- No trash, lumber, construction debris or vegetation netting
- You deliver the material; no pickup
- Accepted until the chipper truck (about 20 yards) is full
How to apply
- 1Check the County page for event location and date
- 2Gather brush and branches
- 3Bring them to the event
Timing and deadlines
Event days only
Per event
Combining it with other programs
not published
Sources
- https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdcfa/crr-main-menu/community-chipper-program.html (official page)
Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.
Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs
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