Permits to cut firewood on the San Juan National Forest are now on sale at agency offices and selected retail outlets. A minimum purchase of $20 allows the bearer to gather 2½ cords of dead and downed firewood from the San Juan National Forest for personal use prior to Dec. 31, 2016.
Permits are divided into five separate tags, and each tag is good for ½ cord of firewood. Tags can be used separately or all at one time. The appropriate number of tags must be validated and securely fastened to the load of firewood in a visible manner before the vehicle is driven from the place where the firewood was gathered. One household may purchase permits for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use. Gathering firewood for resale requires a different commercial permit.
Permits, which come with a brochure and map, are available at:
Dolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184, DoloresDolores Food Market, 400 Railroad Ave., DoloresCox Conoco, 201 E Railroad Ave, MancosSan Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, DurangoKroeger’s Ace Hardware, 8 Town Plaza, DurangoColumbine Ranger District, 367 South Pearl, BayfieldPagosa Ranger District, 2nd & Pagosa St., Pagosa SpringsSilverton Public Lands Office, 1468 Greene Street, SilvertonRestrictions apply to the cutting of standing dead ponderosa pine and live Gambel oak. Permit holders are expected to be familiar with these regulations. Information on firewood gathering regulations is also available online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sanjuan/passes-permits/forestproducts (click on “Firewood Cutting Rules”)
Information on up-to-date conditions of specific forest roads is posted online at: www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan/ (click on “San Juan Forest Road Info” in the right-hand column).
For more information, contact the San Juan Public Lands Center at 970 247-4874.
