As communities continue to focus on wildfire preparedness, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and FireSmart™ are inviting Eastgate residents to participate in a community chipping event on Monday, October 19, 2026. The event will help residents reduce wildfire hazards around their homes and properties while contributing to a safer, more resilient neighbourhood.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to remove flammable vegetation and wood debris from their properties before winter. Small actions taken today can help reduce wildfire risk, strengthen neighbourhood resilience and support safer communities in the years ahead.

Eastgate FireSmart chipping event
Date: Monday, October 19, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
An RDOS-sponsored mobile chipper will begin operating at approximately 9:00 am and travel throughout the neighbourhood. Residents must register their address in advance and place accepted materials in an organized pile at the end of the driveway, where crews can easily access them. The large ends of branches must face toward the road.

Register your Eastgate property for mobile chipping:  https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/3tX9NxtKDP

Accepted materials
The following materials will be accepted:

• Branches, trees and twigs up to eight inches in diameter and four feet in length
• Shrubs and bushes, including cedars and junipers, with no roots attached

Materials not accepted
The following materials will not be accepted:

• Pine needles or leaves
• Roots
• Grass, vines or weeds
• Dirt and rocks
• Fruit tree branches or orchard clippings
• Construction and wood waste
• General household garbage

There is a limit of two pickup truck-sized loads per property. Materials that do not meet the requirements will be left at the driveway and will remain the resident’s responsibility to dispose of appropriately. Pine needles and leaves should be placed in yard waste bags and disposed of through the appropriate yard waste service.

Residents can learn more about practical ways to reduce wildfire risks around their properties by reviewing the FireSmart Begins at Home Manual. Residents can also request a free FireSmart home assessment.

For further event information, please contact Clay Stevenson, RDOS Lead Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, at cstevenson@rdos.bc.ca.

For further information, please contact RDOS Communications.

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Cambell Watt, Vice-chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contacts:

Clay Stevenson, RDOS Lead Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
cstevenson@rdos.bc.ca

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

FireSmart, Intelli-feu and other associated Marks are trademarks of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC).