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

By Victor Kaisar

FireSmart Work

TNRD to host free-chipping days in three Clearwater-area communities in April

Mar 26, 2026 | 8:00 AM

CLEARWATER, B.C. — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will be hosting free chipping day events in a trio of communities in the Clearwater-area next month.

In a statement, the TNRD said free chipping day events will be held in the North Thompson communities of Birch Island, Vavenby, and Avola on Monday, April 20 “to reduce wildfire fuels and help mitigate risks to property from wildfire.”

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

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In addition to free chipping days, the TNRD is also offering homeowners in Electoral Areas rebates of up to $1,000 if they complete fire mitigation work on their properties. Those first-come, first-served rebates are contingent on the completion of free home assessments, which can be requested here.

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