C.O. personal firewood season set to begin
Personal use firewood collection in designated woodcutting areas of the Deschutes National Forest will open Monday, April 28. Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management will open on Thursday, May 1. All areas will remain open through November 3.
Beginning April 28, firewood permits will be available for sale at Deschutes, Ochoco and Crooked River National Grassland Forest Service offices, the Prineville Bureau of Land Management office, and at various vendors located throughout Central Oregon.
Permits sell for $10 per cord with a minimum two-cord purchase required. Each household may purchase up to 8 cords annually. Permit holders will receive a ‘Firewood Synopsis,’ a publication illustrating the areas where the public has access to collect firewood after purchasing a firewood permit.
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to read the Firewood Synopsis in order to understand which tree species are available for firewood cutting and gathering in the designated areas. It is prohibited to possess or remove trees that have been cut illegally.
Many areas have different opening dates, and some have off-road vehicle use restrictions. Permit holders need to pay particular attention to the “Rules and Regulations” as well as the specific cutting designations listed on each cutting area map in the synopsis. Compliance with these regulations will allow the Forest Service to continue to offer new cutting areas to the public.
For more information, contact the Deschutes National Forest at (541) 383-5300, the Ochoco National Forest at (541) 416-6500, or the Prineville BLM at (541) 416-6700.
