The Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council, the city of Steamboat Springs and other partnering organizations will host a free, two-day tree debris chipping opportunity for residents from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 2 and 3.

The community event will provide free disposal for seasonal tree debris from broken tree limbs or downed small trees from the winter season. The collection event, which is not open to commercial operators, will take place at the Emerald Park parking lot, 500 Pamela Lane, in Steamboat Springs.

The council encourages residents to improve their homes’ chance of surviving a wildfire by removing seasonal slash and combustible materials from the Home Ignition Zone surrounding a home. The collected debris and wood slash materials will be chipped to use in local composting and ranching operations.

“Proper vegetation management is one of the least expensive ways to improve your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire, and tackling it in the spring is the most effective and easiest time to do it,” said Josh Hankes, executive director of Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council.

More details including specifics on what can be accepted are available at Steamboatsprings.net/spurchange.