Skagit County has lent the Firewise communities of San Juan Island a chipper to help them maintain safety zones and reduce fuel loads.

Originally, the chipper was going to be here for 10 days which allowed only the new Firewise Communities access to its use. Now the plan is for about three weeks or as long as the chipper is here, to allow any present or new Firewise Community to use the chipper for a day. If any non-Firewise Community would join the free nationally recognized program, they would also qualify for a free chipper day.

The chipper will be on island Jan. 31 to about Feb. 17. Any Firewise Community can organize a chipper day by calling Ron Garner, San Juan Island Fire Department’s Firewise coordinator, 378-7722.

Scheduling will be on a first-come basis until the chipper is recalled by Department of Natural Resources. Brush needs to be brought to the roadway before the chipper day and residents available to help feed the chipper. Joining Firewise is a start toward protecting your home from wild fire.