City of Hayward, CA
05/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/12/2026 10:21
In an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk in high-hazard areas, the City of Hayward Fire
In an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk in high-hazard areas, the City of Hayward Fire Department is accepting applications through June 1 for its annual No-Cost Residential Chipping Program.
The program, part of Hayward Fire's Wildfire Ready East Bay initiative, provides free chipping services to residents living in the Hayward Hills and Fairview Fire Protection District. Its aim is to help property owners create defensible space by removing dry vegetation and tree limbs near homes. Services are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and early application is encouraged due to limited funding.
Under the program, residents are responsible for cutting, gathering and stacking the branches at the front of their property. A contractor hired by the City will then perform the chipping on the street during a pre-scheduled day between May 18 and June 30.
Properties eligible for the program include residences east of Mission Boulevard, south of D Street and up to the border of Union City. To participate, residents must complete the 2026 Chipping Application, which can be found at www.hayward-ca.gov/ChipperProgram. Once a request is submitted, the applicant will have the opportunity to select a desired chipping session and will receive an email confirming acceptance into the program.
This year's program is made available through funding provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Wildfire Prevention Grants Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program.
Wildfire Ready East Bay is part of California Climate Investments, which uses billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to fund projects that reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, strengthen local economies, and support natural environments. With a strong focus on communities most impacted by pollution and limited access to resources, California Climate Investments helps build a more equitable and sustainable future.
The original source of funding for the CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants Program and its support of the Hayward chipping program is the State of California Cap and Trade Program and proceeds of Proposition 4, the Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparedness and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. Prop. 4 is a general obligation bond measure that authorized $10 billion in borrowing to be repaid over 40 years by the state's General Fund.
In addition to the chipping service, the City is offering financial support through its Residential Assistance Program (RAP). The RAP is designed to help seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income residents with the costs of cutting, trimming, and stacking vegetation for chipping. Those interested should email [email protected] with their full name, property address and contact details to receive an application.
City of Hayward, CA published this content on May 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 12, 2026 at 16:21 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]