C. Oregon firewood cutting season underway
Personal use firewood collection in designated woodcutting areas of the Deschutes National Forest opened Monday, and will ion Friday on the Ochoco National Forest and Prineville BLM lands.
On the Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management open Friday. All areas will remain open through November 30,
Firewood permits went on sale Monday at the 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 eight 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.
This season, the Bend/Ft. Rock Ranger District will have a supplemental cutting area map issued along with the Firewood Synopsis. Both this map, and the Firewood Synopsis must be in the permittee’s possession while cutting.
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.
