Chipping work underway in the Paul Lake area in Oct. 2024. (Image Credit: TNRD)
TNRD Chipping Days

Free TNRD chipping day events coming to Lafarge, Agate Bay in August

Jul 31, 2025 | 12:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will be holding free chipping day events in two communities next month as it works to mitigate the risks of wildfire by reducing wildfire fuels.

A free chipping day event will be held in Lafarge next Tuesday (Aug. 5) and in Agate Bay the following Monday (Aug. 11).

“Residents are encouraged to clear out brush, branches, deadfall, and trimmings,” the TNRD said, in a statement. “Brush must be clean and free of dirt and rocks, and woody debris must be no larger than approximately five inches in diameter.”

“Residents are asked to place debris at the end of their driveway the night before pickup. For easy pickup, residents should stack wood and have butt ends facing the road.”

These chipping day events are funded through the TNRD’s FireSmart program, which in turn is funded by grants. Community groups interested in hosting a chipping day event are being told to contact the TNRD’s FireSmart staff by phone at 250-377-6326 or by email.

“We’ve supported more than a dozen free chipping day events in rural TNRD communities so far in 2025, which have been successful to help clear out potential wildfire fuels and flammable vegetation around homes,” Carston Turner, the TNRD Lead FireSmart Coordinator said, in a statement.

“Even during a heat wave in the middle of summer, this is an opportune time to take action to reduce the fire risk on your property.”

The TNRD is also offering rural residents rebates of $500 or $750 if they complete mitigation work that has been identified by the TNRD’s FireSmart Coordinators.

For more information about the TNRD’s FireSmart program, go here.