Lake Valley Fire Protection District is offering a free wood chipping service to residents in its service area.

Lake Valley is working with South Tahoe Refuse’s Recycle/Green Waste Program to offer two methods of slash removal. For piles smaller than 2 cubic yards (the size of a washer and dryer side by side), South Tahoe Refuse will pick them up on collection day, but they must be bundled and tied with twine – then placed curbside.

For piles larger than 2 cubic yards, Lake Valley FPD is continuing its curbside chipping program through this season.

The following are guidelines for the chipping program:

• Place slash and brush piles adjacent to a driveway or street so the chipper and crew can readily have access.

• Piles must be in an area where equipment can easily be turned around.

• Place the cut ends uniformly facing the street or driveway.

• Do not put anything in the pile that is greater than 6 inches in diameter, and do not leave pine needles, pine cones, or leaves.

• Piles must be free of dirt, rocks, wires, lumber and trash.

• Piles are easier to chip if they are wider and more spread out, rather than taller.

• Piles must be home owner-generated – not from work done by a contractor.

• If piles are inaccessible (blocked by cars, in a tight cul-de-sac, too far from the road, etc.), they cannot be chipped.

• The chips will be left in a pile on your property.

When your pile is ready, call (530) 577.2447 to put your name on the list.