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Aspen's Free Chipping Service for Wildfire Mitigation

SUMMER 2023: NEIGHBORHOOD SIGNUPS

Aspen Fire is running a chipper program in 2023 that assists communities and homeowners reduce wildfire risk. We can help you create defensible space by providing free chipping and disposal for brush, branches, and small (<6 in. diameter) trees.

Review the guidelines below, then use the form below to request chipping services for your neighborhood. Neighborhoods will be selected and confirmed in May/ June. Chipping date(s) per neighborhood will be scheduled ahead of time and performed throughout the summer, from May through October.

Once neighborhoods have been scheduled, homeowners will register their address for a brush pile pickup. Homeowners will pile brush according to the guidelines below and the fire department will chip and haul away for FREE. Neighborhoods anticipating higher participation will be prioritized over less engaged areas.

 

How can I sign my neighborhood up?

In order to schedule a chipping day in your area:

  • you must live in a moderate to very high wildfire risk area within the Aspen Fire Protection District;
  • a representative from your neighborhood must email ali.hager@aspenfire.com by June 30, 2023; and
  • we need assurance that at least 10 properties in your neighborhood will participate. 

Ok, Aspen Fire has confirmed that my neighborhood has been selected to participate. How do I register my piles?

  • Individual registration will open in May/ June after neighborhoods have been confirmed. Your brush pile pickup must be registered at least 3 weeks in advance of your neighborhood's pickup date.
  • Participants must follow the below pile and material guidelines.

Please encourage your neighbors to register for the chipping program to ensure its success.  

If your neighborhood/ HOA would like to participate in this program, please fill out the form below or contact ali.hager@aspenfire.com as soon as possible, and no later than June 30.

Guidelines

Piles that do not follow the guidelines for both piles and materials will not be accepted. If piles are not stacked according to guidelines, homeowner will be fully responsible for proper disposal of their rejected pile(s). Unregistered piles will not be picked up.

PILE GUIDELINES

  • Piles must be stacked with the cut ends facing the road (see photo)
  • Piles must be within 5 feet of the public roadway, but not touching the road, in drainage ditches or impeding any traffic
  • Maximum number of piles: 5 per property
  • Maximum pile size is 5 feet high x 5 feet deep x 7 feet long
  • Piles that are created using heavy machinery that are very difficult to pull apart to chip will be rejected
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MATERIALS GUIDELINES

Accepted materials include trees, tree branches, small diameter logs and brush (cut away from root mass). 

The following restrictions apply:

  • No logs or branches with a diameter greater than 6 inches
  • No construction, building or other man-made materials
  • No lumber, fence posts or signs
  • No roots, rootwads, stumps or anything else that grows below the soil
  • No materials that contain dirt, sand, gravel or rocks
  • No materials that contain any metal (nails, screws, fencing), string or other man-made materials
  • No herbaceous / non-woody plant material

 

WOOD CHIPS

  • All wood chips, resulting from the chipping of your pile(s) will be removed and composted at Pitkin County Landfill.

 

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

  • Aspen Fire provides free wildfire mitigation assessments beginning in May. Schedule yours here
  • Here's a list of a few local Vegetation Management Contractors.
  • Please note, any additional vegetation management work beyond chipping & hauling will not be financially covered by Aspen Fire.

Neighborhood Participation Request Form

If you have any questions please email ali.hager@aspenfire.com

Thank you to Pitkin County, the City of Aspen, and the IAFC and Ready, Set, GO! for the grant funds to make this program possible!