Fire Fuel Chipper and Debris Bin

Residents in some areas of the Berkeley hills can get support from the City with disposing of plant materials. Clearing flammable plants and plant debris from your property is an important part of protecting your house from wildfires. The City will chip branches and collect bagged vegetation to help you reduce your fire hazard.

Consult the fire fuel chipper areas map to see if you live in a fire fuel chipper area. You can enter your address to search for which fire fuel chipper area you live in. If you are eligible for the program, you will receive a brochure about the program in the mail annually with information about how to participate. Vacant lots and properties that do not pay the Fire Surcharge are not eligible.

To check if you pay the Fire Surcharge, look at your Alameda County Secured Property Tax Statement. If you pay the surcharge, there will be amounts listed under: Zero Waste Service (under the Fixed Charges and/or Special Assessments heading) and Improvements (under the Tax Computation Worksheet heading).

READ 2022 BROCHURE

Fire Fuel Chipper Program

Crews will pass through each area two times during the 16 week program to chip branches and pick up bagged vegetation debris. The brochure, sent annually, will let you know which weeks the crews will be passing through your area. Please read the brochure for specific instructions about how to prepare your vegetation for pick up.

For questions about the Fire Fuel Chipper Program:

• Call Customer Service at 311 if in the city limits, or at 510-981-CITY (2489), between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm or
• Send your question by email to trees@cityofberkeley.info or
• Call the Parks Division Office at 510-981-6660, between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm

Debris bin program

If you have a large volume of vegetative debris for removal, you may request a debris bin. These bins may not be used for lumber, plastic, dirt, rocks, concrete or household trash. Debris bins will be placed in the public right of way, and can be used by anyone in the neighborhood.

For smaller amounts of debris, you can include the vegetation in your weekly pick up bin, or purchase pre-paid paper plant-debris bags (with a City of Berkeley logo) from Ace Hardware, 2020 Milvia Street or the Berkeley Transfer Station at 1201 Second Street. These paper bags will be picked up during the regular weekly service, not as part of the Fire Fuel Chipper Program.

For questions about the Debris Bin Program:

• Call Customer Service at 311 from any city landline, or at 510-981-CITY (2489), between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm
• Call (510) 981-7270 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm