Big Bear Fire Suspends Popular Chipping Program For 2020 Season

Big Bear Fire Department announces that it will suspend its popular chipping program for the 2020 season. This grant-funded program has been highly successful in helping residents create defensible space around their structures. 

denied grant letters

The Fire Department actively researches and applies for hazardous fuel reduction grants to keep the chipping program and the hazardous tree removal program going.

The Department recently received denial letters for the three grants applied for that would have paid for hazardous fuel reduction programs for the 2020 season.

Impact of grant funding loss

Creating defensible space is still extremely important to protect a home from wildfire"

Fire Chief - Jeff Willis stated, “The loss of approximately $345,000 in grant funding is difficult and will be hard for this community. This program has proven very successful in helping property owners remove hazardous fuels."

He adds, "Creating defensible space is still extremely important to protect a home from wildfire, and I ask all property owners to continue to be diligently creating and maintaining a fire-wise property through the summer months.”

administrative personnel cuts

The loss of grant funding comes at a time when the Department has cut administrative personnel to reduce expenses. “Administrative staffing cuts also reduce the Department’s ability to manage hazardous fuel abatement programs,” Chief Willis added.

The fire department has one grant remaining that is available for hazardous tree removal on a property owner cost-share basis.