Permits to cut firewood on the San Juan National Forest will be on sale starting May 1 at agency offices and selected retail outlets, forest spokeswoman Camela Hooley said in a press release.
A minimum purchase of $20 allows the holder to gather 2½ cords of dead and downed firewood from the San Juan National Forest for personal use through 2018.
Permits, which come with a brochure and map, are available at:
San Juan National Forest Headquarters, 15 Burnett Court, DurangoCox Conoco, 201 E Railroad Ave, MancosDolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184, DoloresDolores Food Market, 400 Railroad Ave., DoloresKroeger’s Ace Hardware, 8 Town Plaza, DurangoColumbine Ranger District, 367 South Pearl, BayfieldConoco Corner, Highway 491, LewisPagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St., Pagosa SpringsCurrently, the forest is under Stage 1 fire restrictions, meaning that chain saws must have an approved spark arrester, and the saw operator must have a fire extinguisher meeting a 2A rating and a round-pointed shovel at least 35 inches long. Fire restrictions will change throughout the season.
Permits are divided into five separate tags; each tag is good for ½ cord of firewood and can be used separately or all at one time. One household may purchase permits for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use. A cord is measured as a stack 4x4x8 feet. Cutting firewood for commercial resale requires a commercial permit, and information can obtained at each district office.
Restrictions apply to the cutting of standing dead ponderosa pine and live Gambel oak. While most Forest roads at lower elevations open on May 1, some may still be wet or muddy and impassable. Permit holders are expected to be familiar with all regulations. More information on firewood gathering regulations and current road conditions are available online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan/
For more information, please contact the San Juan Public Lands Center at 970 247-4874.
