Spring cleaning also extends to your yard as the Sedona Fire District is holding its 23rd annual Wildfire Preparedness Event, allowing residents free of charge disposal of their yard waste and help make their homes Firewise ahead of the peak of the wildfire season.

The drop-offs take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 6657 SR 179 in the Village of Oak Creek, and on Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, at West Sedona School at 570 Posse Ground Road near the Community Pool Parking lot, also from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It benefits the district by making our community safer,” SFD spokesman Kirk Riddell said. “Our district encompasses the Village of Oak Creek and 300 square miles of county. With more yards cleaned up and Firewise, if there is an incident or a fire, there are fewer fuels out there.”

Typically at the VOC location, residents will drop off enough lawn material to fill up four 40-yard dumpsters, and West Sedona residents drop off enough to fill two dumpsters, according to Riddell.

“We do this in spring so you can get it all ready before summer, when everything dries out,” Riddell said. “A lot of times people want to clean their yards but don’t have a way to dispose of the waste. This gives them an opportunity to do that at no cost to them.”

Residents can drop off bagged leaves, grass, pine needles, brush tree limbs and shrub trimmings. However, cactus, treated lumber, household waste and hazardous materials are not accepted at this event.

“We’ll have equipment on site and staff there to help,” Riddell said. “We’ll unload your trailer, your car, your truck. Just drive away and we’ll take care of it.”

Call SFD at (928) 282-6800 for more information.