As part of its ongoing efforts to FireSmart the community, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is hosting a community chipping day on Sunday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents will be able to have trimmed branches and yard debris removed on a first come, first-served basis by contacting FireSmart coordinator Scott Rogers at 604-966-4173.
Only vegetation can be included, and invasive species must be removed from brush material and disposed of separately.
"The community response to the first community chipping day in the spring was so positive that we have decided to offer it again," said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden in a release.
"It's not enough for residents to just complete a FireSmart home assessment. They also need to take action — even small steps to start — to implement recommendations."
Residents can also dispose of yard waste at the new Nesters Waste Depot seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The RMOW is investing in a comprehensive wildfire protection strategy, the mayor added in the release, but everyone must do their part to keep Whistler safe.
"Research following devastating wildfires in communities like Fort McMurray has confirmed that houses that were more FireSmart (or had a lower fire risk) were still standing, while neighbouring houses with higher fire risk burned down," she said.
"We're at risk in Whistler not only of having wildfires spread from the forest to our homes, but also of having house fires spread into neighbourhoods and the surrounding forest."
For more information about wildfire protection and the FireSmart program head to www.whistler.ca/firesmart.
