Southern Marin Fire District Offers Year-Round Chipper Service to Reduce Wildfire Risk

As wildfire season extends and intensifies across California, the Southern Marin Fire District (SMFD) encourages residents to take proactive steps to protect their homes and neighborhoods through responsible vegetation management. One of the most effective—and free—resources available to the community is SMFD's year-round chipper program.

Free, Year-Round Chipper Service from SMFD

The SMFD chipper program provides residents with an easy, no-cost way to dispose of fire-prone vegetation and supports the creation of defensible space by removing hazardous materials such as brush, limbs, and stacked firewood.

Our chipper program continues to be a valuable service to residents of Sausalito, Mill Valley, and the communities of Tam Valley, Homestead Valley, Strawberry, Alto Sutton, Almonte, and Tiburon—all of whom face increasing wildfire risk and benefit from proactive fuel reduction efforts.

For Now....

Get Started Today

Residents can request service by completing the SMFD Chipper Request Form. Participating in this program is a simple but powerful way to contribute to a fire-adapted, more resilient Southern Marin.

COMMING SOON - Spring of 2026........ ChipperDay.com/SouthernMarinFire

NEW! Upgraded Online Portal

We're excited to announce an improved online scheduling experience for our Free On-Demand Chipper service. This upgrade makes it easier than ever to request chipping services and manage your defensible space—all from your personalized account.

What's New?

• Streamlined online portal for easy scheduling
• Access from your personal Defensible Space Property Report
• Reference removal items and suggestions in one place
• Better insights into community-wide defensible space efforts

Key Features of the New Portal

• Personalized Property Report: View your unique Defensible Space Property Report with marked items for removal and helpful suggestions tailored to your property.
• Easy Scheduling: Request chipper services directly through the portal. Select your preferred dates and our team will coordinate the service.
• Community Data: Help your Firewise community report on neighborhood progress. Your data contributes to broader community awareness.
• Community Impact: See how your individual efforts contribute to neighborhood-wide defensible space initiatives and fire resilience.

Get Started Today

Residents can request chipper service by visiting the ChipperDays webpage and filling out the easy online form. Participating in this program is a simple but powerful way to contribute to a fire-adapted, more resilient Southern Marin. 

Let Us Know Where Your Pile Is

Residents can now use a mapping tool to show us right where the pile will be. You can go back in and update us if the pile moves. The control is in your hands until we show up!

This free service is doing more than just providing your home with the needed defensible space, it is expanding the awareness of your individual efforts into a community-based solution. Encourage your neighbors to test it out and share the word.

Chipper Program Requirements & Preparation Guide

To ensure smooth service and maximum efficiency, please review and follow these important requirements:

Planning & Scheduling

• Submit requests 7+ days in advance: Request chipper service at least seven (7) days prior to your requested date.
• Minimum 3 homes required: At least three homes are needed to participate. Addresses provided will be included in the scheduled date. If fewer than three homes, your chipper may be delayed.
• Monday-Friday service only: Individual chippers may be scheduled Monday through Friday. The chipper is unavailable on weekends and federal holidays.

Material Preparation

• Stack along roadside: Please stack all vegetation along the road or driveway so it does not block traffic. Crew will not remove brush from private property.
• Leave debris uncovered: Please leave debris piles uncovered. Garbage bags of debris will not be picked up.
• Branch size limits: The chipper can handle up to 10 inches diameter rounds/branches. Please cut branches to maximum length of 8 feet.

What's Accepted for Chipping

• Tree limbs (up to 8 inches in diameter)
• Brush, shrubs, and woody branches
• Broom, juniper, cypress, and firewood

Not Accepted: Grass clippings, leaves, and bagged materials are not accepted. The chipper can only chip brush and branches. No ivy, bamboo, leaf litter, grasses, or other landscaping items such as fence posts, logs, or lumber.

Service Completion Timeline

• Same-day removal: Individual chippers are scheduled to remove all debris piles by 5:00pm of the scheduled date.
• Large pile consideration: Larger debris piles may take an additional day to remove. The chipper will return the following business day to complete removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost for this service?

No! The Free On-Demand Chipper service is provided at no cost to SMFD residents. It's one of the many programs we offer to support defensible space and fire safety in our community.

How long does it take to schedule a service?

Scheduling is quick and easy through the portal. Submit your request at least 7 days in advance. Depending on demand and the number of homes requesting service, your service will be scheduled within the timeframe you request.

Why do we need at least 3 homes to participate?

To maximize efficiency, we coordinate services with neighboring properties. This reduces travel time for our crew and allows us to serve more residents with available resources. If you have fewer than three homes, your service may be delayed until additional neighbors request service.

Can I bag my debris?

No, please leave debris piles uncovered. Garbage bags of debris will not be picked up by our crew. Stack materials directly along your road or driveway for easy access.

What if I have branches larger than 8 inches?

Our chipper can handle branches up to 8 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length. Please cut any larger branches to fit these specifications before scheduling service.

Will the crew remove brush from my backyard?

Our crew will only remove debris piles stacked along the road or driveway for safety and efficiency. Please do not block traffic with brush piles, and ensure safe access for our equipment.

What if I need to reschedule my appointment?

You can modify or reschedule your appointment through the portal. Contact our office directly for assistance with changes.

How does this service contribute to fire safety?

Defensible space—the area around your home cleared of excess vegetation and dead wood—is one of the most important steps in protecting your property from wildfire. This service removes barriers to completing this critical work and strengthens neighborhood resilience.

How is my feedback used?

Your feedback helps us continuously improve the service experience. We review all comments and use them to enhance our portal, scheduling process, and overall program delivery.

Building a Firewise Community

This Free On-Demand Chipper service is more than just a tool for individual property management—it's a community initiative. Every resident who completes their defensible space strengthens the entire neighborhood's resilience against wildfire.

How You Can Help

• Encourage your neighbors to test out the new portal and schedule their own chipper service
• Share your experience with friends and family in your community
• Participate in Firewise initiatives to expand neighborhood-wide fire resilience
• Stay informed about community defensible space efforts and local fire preparedness

Together We're Stronger: Every pile chipped is a step toward greater fire adaptation. The data we collect helps your Firewise communities better report the great work being completed by residents in your specific neighborhood. Your individual efforts contribute to a community-based fire resilience solution.

Questions or Need Assistance?

For questions or assistance with the chipper program, please contact SMFD's Prevention Department:

Phone: 415-388-8182

Every pile chipped is a step toward greater community safety. Thank you for your participation in this important fire safety initiative!

Southern Marin Fire District Offers Year-Round Chipper Service to Reduce Wildfire Risk

As wildfire season extends and intensifies across California, the Southern Marin Fire District (SMFD) encourages residents to take proactive steps to protect their homes and neighborhoods through responsible vegetation management. One of the most effective—and free—resources available to the community is SMFD’s year-round chipper program.

Free, Year-Round Chipper Service from SMFD
The SMFD chipper program provides residents with an easy, no-cost way to dispose of fire-prone vegetation and supports the creation of defensible space by removing hazardous materials such as brush, limbs, and stacked firewood.

Our chipper program continues to be a valuable service to residents of Sausalito, Mill Valley, and the communities of Tam Valley, Homestead Valley, Strawberry, Alto Sutton, Almonte, and Tiburon—all of whom face increasing wildfire risk and benefit from proactive fuel reduction efforts.

To maximize efficiency, SMFD encourages neighbors to coordinate their vegetation cleanups and schedule pickups together. While we strongly recommend multiple households within a neighborhood participate, we will accommodate individual service requests as needed.

Get Started Today
Residents can request service by completing the SMFD Chipper Request Form. Participating in this program is a simple but powerful way to contribute to a fire-adapted, more resilient Southern Marin.

What’s Accepted for Chipping

• Tree limbs (up to 8 inches in diameter)

• Brush, shrubs, and woody branches

• Broom, juniper, cypress, and firewood

Please note: Grass clippings, leaves, and bagged materials are not accepted.

Every pile chipped is a step toward greater community safety. For questions or assistance, call SMFD’s Prevention Department at 415-388-8182.

Complete the SMFD Chipper Request Form

Have excess grass clippings, leaves and bagged vegetation?

Contact Bay Cities Refuse Service to schedule a pickup on your garbage day.