The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests’ Norwood Ranger District has opened a firewood harvest area on the Uncompahgre National Forest’s Plateau Division.
The felled and decked ponderosa pine trees are available to the public and require the purchase of a 2018 U.S. Forest Service fuelwood permit. The decks are in the Horsefly Project area on National Forest System Road 537 (Horsefly Trail Road) off the NFSR 530 (Sanborn Park Road), about 20 miles northeast of Norwood and 30 miles southwest of Montrose.
The road is accessible only to those who hold a valid fuelwood permit.
A valid fuelwood permit must be in the possession of the harvesters, and may be purchased at the Ouray Ranger District Office in Montrose. The minimum permit purchase is four cords for $20, and the maximum is 10 cords for $50, per household. The firewood cannot be sold.
The area was implemented in partnership with the Mule Deer Foundation to reduce the potential for severe wildfires and increase vegetation diversity and improved wildlife habitat.
Forest visitors are encouraged to call the local ranger station for forest conditions, regulations and fire restrictions.
For more information, visit fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/fuelwood.