Firewood cutting opens next week on C.O. national forests

Personal use firewood collection on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland begins next Tuesday, May 1, and will remain open through November 30. Firewood permits will go on sale at Forest Service offices across Central Oregon and at select businesses beginning Tuesday morning.

The Prineville BLM will be offering juniper woodcutting this year on 485 acres near the intersection of Millican Road and Reservoir Road. This unit will open late and will run from July 1 – November 30.

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.

Firewood cutters are required to carry a shovel, an 8 oz. capacity or larger fire extinguisher, and have their chainsaw equipped with an approved spark arrester when cutting wood.

During early spring months, many forest roads are still inaccessible due to snow. Forest visitors are asked to use extreme care to avoid getting stuck or causing extensive and illegal resource damage to the land and vegetation.

As we move into the hot, dry summer months, Public Use Restrictions (PURs) may be implemented. Restrictions could limit the hours that firewood cutting is available, or prohibit them entirely during periods of high fire danger. Restrictions will be announced by 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to the restriction(s) going into effect and will be posted to Central Oregon National Forest websites and through the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center at https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/districts/COIDC/

Be sure to “Know Before You Go.” Grab a free copy of the Motor Vehicle Use Map for the area where you’ll be cutting, or download a free version onto your smartphone, to ensure you are traveling on designated roads.

Find our free Motor Vehicle Use Maps online.

Deschutes National Forest : https://go.usa.gov/xQKGq

Ochoco National Forest : https://go.usa.gov/xQKGa