Close-up of wood chips  with a blurred horizon and sky in the background.

FREE brush CHipping for a fire-safe lake county, CA.

Free vegetation chipping to help protect homes and neighborhoods from wildfires.

SIGN UP FOR A CHIPPING DAY
VIEW GUIDELINES
Logo of Clear Lake Environmental Research Center featuring a mountain, a lake, and a bird in flight with the text 'CLERC' over the lake and a circular outer ring with the text 'Clear Lake Environmental Research Center'.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE CHIPPING?

The Community Chipping Program is available free of charge to residents of Lake County, California, through funding provided by local and state wildfire prevention grants.

If you live in a neighborhood or community where wildfire risk is high, this service can help you clear hazardous vegetation and create defensible space around your home.

✅ Homeowners and residents in Lake County
✅ Private roads or driveways accessible to chipping equipment
✅ Piles of natural vegetation only (no rocks, dirt, or construction material)
✅ Participation encouraged for HOAs, Firewise communities, and local fire districts

Not sure if you qualify?
Use our Sign-Up Form — we’ll confirm if your property falls within a service zone.

This program is managed by the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center (CLERC) in partnership with local fire districts and funded by a Community Wildfire Protection Grant.

Map of Lake County indicating resident eligibility for a program, excluding commercial agriculture, with city labels like Lakeport, Kelseyville, and Middletown, and a logo from Clear Lake Environmental Research Center.

Chipping days are scheduled when we receive 6 or more sign ups in a similar area. The more neighbors that sign up in a community, the faster a day can be scheduled!

HOW IT WORKS

Number one printed in white inside a white circular label

Sign up for your chipping day. Chipping days are scheduled when 6 or more properties in a neighborhood sign up, so tell your neighbors!

SIGN UP

White circle with black number 2 in the center.

Trim your brush to less than 6 inches in diameter, and between 2 to 6 ft in length. Neatly stack your cut brush in piles no larger than 5ft high, 6ft wide, and 15ft in length.

CUT & STACK PILES

White circle with a black number 3 in the center.

Ensure your piles are clearly visible and marked at the property address that you specified when signing up.

MARK PILES

White number four inside a white circle .

  Keep area clear, accessible, and secure pets so crews can work safely.

Service day

SIGN UP FOR A CHIPPING DAY
SEE Full chipping guidelines
Aerial view of a forest area with leafless trees and some green foliage, showing machinery and vehicles involved in tree removal or maintenance.

Together, we’re reducing wildfire risk. one pile at a time.

Each pile chipped represents defensible space that protects homes, families, and wildlife. The Chipping Program is managed by the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center (CLERC) in partnership with local fire districts and state grants to keep Lake County safe.

Community Impact

0

Piles Chipped

0

Properties Served

0

Communities Protected

COMMUNITY VOICES

  • “CLERC's Chipping Program chipped multiple brush piles for us. This effort has significantly improved the defensible space around our home and contributed to a safe environment for our entire neighborhood.”

    -Rob Thyarks

  • “Programs like CLERC make a real difference in wildfire preparedness, and we're thankful for their commitment to protecting communities like ours. “

    -Diane Thyarks

READY TO SCHEDULE YOUR CHIPPING DAY?

SCHEDULE YOUR CHIPPING DAY ONLINE
PRINT THE SIGN UP FORM
VIEW SCHEDULE