Residents in Strathcona Regional District’s Area D are being encouraged to FireSmart their properties with a free yard wood debris pickup next week.

The regional district says chipping trucks will begin collecting wood debris on Monday, May 25th, with residents asked to place eligible materials at the end of their driveways by 9am.

The service is designed to help reduce wildfire risk by removing excess branches and tree trimmings from private properties.

To qualify for pickup, branches must be under 16 centimetres in diameter and no longer than 10 metres, with all cut ends facing the same direction to make chipping easier.

Residents are being reminded not to include rocks, nails, roots, or invasive species like Scotch broom, English holly, giant hogweed, or knotweed.

Anyone wanting to keep their wood chips can tie a piece of flagging tape to their debris pile, and crews will leave the chipped material behind for them.

Otherwise, wood chips will be available for pickup at Maple Park on Anton Road while supplies last.

No registration is required, although residents with hard-to-find driveways are asked to notify the regional district ahead of time.

Officials say any debris placed out after 9am on Monday might not be collected.

For more information, visit Strathcona Regional District or email preparedness@srd.ca.