Fremont-Winema Firewood Program

Firewood Program Overview

Whitebark Pine listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act

It is illegal to remove, posses or damage Whitebark Pine on federal lands. Use the identifcation guide prior to cutting or collecting firewood.

  1. Whitebark Pine Identification Guide

 

Personal Use Firewood

Two types of firewood permits are available on the Fremont-Winema National Forest: 

  1. Personal Use Firewood Permits are intended for personal use only and not for resale. 
  2. Commercial Firewood Permits are for those cutting firewood for resale purposes.

Personal use firewood cutting is available on the Fremont-Winema National Forest. Those wishing to cut their own firewood can obtain a woodcutting permit from the Fremont-Winema National Forest Supervisor's Office or local district offices on the Forest.

The Firewood Assistance Program or third party cutting are for those with physical or medical limitations unable to cut their own firewood. To acquire this permit, both the firewood recipient and third party woodcutter need to be present to purchase a permit and tags. Requirements and rules are the same as a Personal Use Firewood Permit.  Third party cutters are limited to 5 permits a year.

All firewood permits expire on December 31 of the year issued, with no extension.  Both the woodcutting permit and the woodcutting tags need to be in the woodcutter’s possession when gathering and transporting wood.

Woodcutters need to follow fire prevention requirements: 

Chainsaw exhaust systems must be in good repair with a screen-type spark arrester of .023 inches or less. 

A shovel and pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounce capacity by weight must be present.

Always check the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) and current fire restrictions before heading out to cut firewood on the Forest. This information is available at any Fremont-Winema National Forest Office or the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center. The best woodcutting times are in the spring and fall when fire danger low and weather is favorable. Contact local Ranger District offices for details.

Commercial Firewood Permits

If you want to cut firewood on the Fremont-Winema National Forests to sell to other people, you would be classified as a Commercial Firewood cutter, and would be subject to a different set of rules. For information about obtaining a Commercial Firewood Permit, contact your nearest Ranger District office.