Chipping Program
County-Wide Chipping Program
The chipping program is intended to assist community members who are unable to complete disposal of vegetation on their own due to physical or financial limitations. Priority will be given to disabled elderly, and the disabled.
The Plumas County Fire Safe Council offers cost-share chipping for $150 for one pile per client
If you are unable to pay the $150 cost share due to financial hardship, please contact the Chipping Program Manager at (530) 214-3888 to discuss options.
2026 Chipping Dates:
Sign up starting May 5
The Community Chipping Program operates only during scheduled weeks for each community, aside from waitlisted participants.
- Participation is first come, first served
- A structure is required on the parcel
- Adequate access is required for a pickup truck towing a 15-foot chipper
- Prepare piles well in advance, along the road where the chipper crew can easily access your pile
- Do not place piles within your defensible space zone—if service is delayed, dry material near your home increases fire risk
Chipping Guidelines:
- Maximum pile size: 16 linear feet long x 4 feet high x 3–12 feet
- Material length: 3–12 feet long
- Maximum piece diameter: 8 inches
- Natural woody material only
Minimum Size: Due to limited funding and operator mobilization costs, very small piles may not be eligible for service. Piles should generally be at least 4 linear feet long, 3 feet deep, and 3 feet high to qualify for service.
Material exceeding these limits will be left unchipped.
Build neat piles with all cut ends facing toward the street or where the chipper will be operated
- Make sure that your piles contain no rocks, metal, mud, poison oak, scotch broom, vines, blackberries, or building materials
- Locate piles on level ground, or on the uphill side of the road, outside of drainages
- Build piles in areas that can be easily accessed with a truck hauling a 15 foot long chipper.
- For operator safety, only include materials that are longer than 3 feet in length
- "Loose" piles are preferable to tightly packed material
- Be respectful of the contractors’ time
Roots or decaying wood
- Pine cones, pine needles, leaves, or yard clippings
- Piles that are over 4 feet high or built over standing vegetation
- Large diameter materials that will not fit through the chipper opening - 8 inch diameter maximum due to potential damage to the equipment.
- Short pieces that will endanger the chipper operators
- Piles constructed or compacted with mechanical assistance (i.e. with a tractor)
The Plumas County Fire Safe Council provides chipping services:
| 2026 Chipping Schedule |
|---|
| June 8 - 12 Twain, Indian Falls, Indian Valley, Genesee Valley, Lake Almanor, Chester |
| June 15 - 19 Quincy, Meadow Valley, Bucks Lake, Greenhorn, Cromberg, Sloat |
| June 22 - July 2 Graeagle, Plumas Eureka, Mohawk Vista, Valley Ranch, Smith Creek Ranch |
| July 6 - 10 Portola, Gold Mtn, Lake Davis, Chilcoot, Vinton, Grizzly Ranch |
| July 13 LaPorte |
- as an alternative to pile burning - benefiting air quality and reducing risk of escapes
- as an alternative to dumping - reducing costs and hauling for residents and keeping green waste out of landfills
- as an alternative to no action - incentivizing the creation and maintenance of defensible space
If you would like to make a tax-deducible donation to support an annual Chipping Program please send a check to Plumas County Fire Safe Council, Attention: Matt West, PO Box 1225, Quincy CA 95971
Guidelines for Creating Defensible SpaceThe Plumas County Fire Safe Council provides the funding for this program.
