Wildand Urban Interface Chipping Program

Modifying fuels near a home in a high risk area is important to reduce fire behavior in the event of a wildfire. To help homeowners accomplish this task, the City of Rapid City will offer chipping of removed fuels for high risk neighborhoods by appointment.

This is not a debris removal, landscaping or cleanup project. The larger woody brush, small pines, cedars, junipers, and other overgrown woody brush material pose the greatest fire threat. Debris or landscaping described as unacceptable will not be removed. Piles mixed with unacceptable materials may not be removed. 

Guidelines

• Your neighborhood must be within the City of Rapid City and identified as being at risk for wildfire. 
• In 2012, priority will be given to neighborhoods in the Carriage Hills, Wildwood, Pinedale Heights, Chapel Valley and Skyline Drive areas.
• Select a neighborhood representative to sign a stewardship agreement. ONE PERSON will sign up the neighborhood or portion of the neighborhood.
• All participants MUST attend a neighborhood meeting with the fire department or an onsite consultation before the chipping date.
• There must be at least 12 homes participating; no maximum.
• Select a chipping date and submit a list of participating addresses at least 1 week prior to the selected date.
• All piles must be ready by 8:00 A.M. on the first scheduled day. The crews will survey the piles and arrange for adequate labor to chip all piles.
• Slash mulch will be hauled away for recycling or a full load can be left on-site for mulch when requested.

 What’s Acceptable?

• Woody limbs and branches only, up to 6” in diameter. 
• Woody material must be clear of nails or wire
• Hazardous woody material includes small pines, cedar, juniper, & other woody brush material that is over grown on the property.
• Piles only
• Piles must be stacked with cut ends facing the road.
• Piles must be within 5’ of the roadway.
• Limit pile size to 5’x5’x5’. No limit as to the number of piles
• Slash mulch will be hauled away for recycling or a full load can be left on-site for mulch when requested.

What’s Unacceptable?

• No construction or building materials
• No bags
• No trash, weeds, vines, flower stems, and other trimmings such as sticks and twigs
• No root wads, dirt or rocks
• No grass clippings or leaves
• Do not combine piles with neighbors or haul in material from other neighborhoods.

 For more information on the chipping program, please contact Lt. Eric O'Connor at (605)-394-5233.

Survivable Space Initiative 

Homeowners, like this couple on the left, who improve the safety of their home and property from wildland fire may receive recognition from the city.

The Survivable Space Initiative works to create survivable spaces, meaning they are more likely to withstand a wildfire without intervention and direct protection by fire fighters. During a large wildfire event, fire fighting resources may not be able to protect all properties.

Rapid City homeowners who meet minimum standards in protecting their property from wildland fire may receive the Survivable Space Initiative recognition which includes a plaque to post on the property and a certificate.

Interested homeowners in Rapid City may contact Lieutenant O'Connor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (605)-394-5233 extention 6101 to schedule a no cost, no obligation review of their property. Lieutenant O'Connor will make suggestions for improvement, if needed, and discuss possible grant opportunities to help defray costs.

Homewoners in high risk areas may also request a chipper and crew remove piles of smaller wildfire fuels in their community. To learn more, click here.

Lieutenant O'Connor is happy to speak with homeowners associations or neighborhood groups about the Survivable Space Initiative.