Chipping days offered Dec. 1, 2 in Cambria

It may seem odd to talk about fire risk when Cambria’s getting some much needed (if intermittent) rainfall, but in an aging native Monterey pine forest that’s suffered through more than four years of drought, fire danger never really goes away.

A free “chipping days” service Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1 and 2, can help Cambrians prepare, but there are deadlines coming up. People who want the service must sign up for it soon — by Nov. 28 — so work schedules can be drawn up and crews and equipment can be reserved.

To get the free service at your property, pick up and fill out a “Let’s Get Chipping” sign-up sheet. They’re available at various locations, such as the Cambria Fire Department station, 2850 Burton Drive; Cambria Community Services District offices, 1316 Tamsen Drive, Suite 201; the library, 1043 Main St.; Cookie Crock Market and other sites.

The completed form must be returned in person to the fire department by Nov. 28, so the property owner can receive red flagging tape and instructions, and so staff can get additional information.

Place the items you want chipped at curbside or in the road easement area of your property. Use the tape to encircle the stack of materials you want chipped (limbs and similar materials of less than 5 inches in diameter and no longer than 7 feet; no grass, leaves, pine needles, sawed lumber or building materials).

That must be done by Nov. 30.

The California Conservation Corps crews — with help and coordination from Cambria Fire, Cambria’s Community Emergency Response Team and Cambria FireSafe Focus Group — will put the woody debris through a chipping machine and then blow the chips back onto your property at curbside.

No precise appointments can be made for the service, which is one reason the placement of the red flagging tape is so important.

There’s a cap on the number of locations that the chipping teams can handle during the two-day event, so those who want to participate must sign up soon. Details: 805-927-6240.

This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 10:13 AM with the headline "Chipping days offered Dec. 1, 2 in Cambria."