INFORMATION RELEASE

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and FireSmart are facilitating several community and mobile wood chipping events. These events will help residents remove flammable materials from their properties. You can register your address for the mobile wood chipper that will chip accepted items collected on local properties.

Kilpoola FireSmart chipping event and BBQ
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: Chipping starts at approximately 9:00 am, and the BBQ is from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Details: The BBQ begins at 11:00 am, located at the information booth at the community bulletin board (Post Box site on Richter Pass).
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/dE2TxnTUgz

Naramata FireSmart chipping event
Date: Monday, April 13, 2026
Time: Chipping starts at approximately 9:00 am
Details: Debris piles must be at the end of the driveway
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/9iVtg14Dbb

Hedley Local FireSmart Day and BBQ
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Woodlie Park and Playground in downtown Hedley, across the street from the post office
Details: Join neighbours and FireSmart partners for a community BBQ. Learn practical steps to reduce wildfire risk around your home and property, ask questions, and get ready for the wildfire season ahead.

Anarchist Mountain FireSmart BBQ
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Jamie Soule Memorial Park, 105 Sasquatch Trail
Details: Join neighbours and FireSmart partners for a community BBQ. This is a family‑friendly, drop‑in event; everyone is welcome.

Kaleden FireSmart chipping event
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: Chipping starts at approximately 9:00 am and will roam the neighbourhood
To register your address, email firesmart@kaledenfire.ca.

Willowbrook FireSmart chipping event and BBQ
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: Chipping starts at approximately 9:00 am, and the BBQ is from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: Willowbrook Fire Hall, 3395 Willowbrook Rd.
Details: Spend time removing flammable materials on your property and make use of a roaming chipper.
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/epkXSMWJJh

Greater West Bench FireSmart chipping event
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Details: Debris piles must be at the end of the driveway
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/vRDRLMZU30 

Hedley FireSmart chipping event
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: Chipping starts at approximately 9:00 am and will roam the neighbourhood
Details: Debris piles must be at the end of the driveway
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/shL8gKfJym

Heritage Hills FireSmart chipping event
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: Chipping starts at approximately 9:00 am and will roam the neighbourhood
Details: Debris piles must be at the end of your driveway, or bring your material to the FireSmart information booth in the parking lot of Garnett Family Park from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/DmV52QHAzY

Carmi FireSmart chipping event
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026
Time: Chipping starts at approximately 9:00 am and will roam the neighbourhood
Details: Debris piles must be at the end of the driveway
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/pZZCnQp1mD

Apex Mountain FireSmart Community Clean-Up and BBQ
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Location: Fire Hall, 1246 Apex Mtn Rd.
Details: The clean-up is from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, and the BBQ is from 12:00 - 3:00 pm 

Apex Mountain FireSmart chipping event
Date: Monday, June 15, 2026
Time: Chipping starts at approximately 9:00 am and will roam the neighbourhood
Details: Debris piles must be at the end of your driveway
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/4LgSYUFrTx 

Only the following items will be accepted for the wood chipper:

• Branches, trees, and twigs up to 8” in diameter
• Shrubs and bushes such as cedars or junipers (with no roots attached)

For the full list of FireSmart events, visit the Event Calendar at rdos.bc.ca.

For further information, please contact Clay Stevenson, RDOS Wildfire Mitigation Specialist.

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contacts:

Clay Stevenson
RDOS Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
250-809-7761

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-free 1-877-610-3737