Local News

Firewood Permits Available Soon

Apr 25, 2018

Even as the snowline slowly creeps up the mountains, thoughts turn toward preparing for the next winter. For many, that preparation includes storing up a good cache of firewood.

Permits for gathering firewood from National Forest Lands on the Tonasket Ranger District will go on sale Thursday April 26^th and for the Methow Valley Ranger District on May 1^st. At that time, permits will be available at Forest Service Offices in Omak, Tonasket and Winthrop. Permits remain five dollars per cord with a minimum purchase of four cord ($20.00) and a twelve cord maximum per household.

“I really appreciate the patience folks have shown as safety concerns necessitated delayed gate openings and subsequent delays in making firewood permits available this spring,” said Matt Reidy, Tonasket District Ranger. “We’ve been checking conditions daily and are glad to be able to start opening things up.”

With spring melt underway, most forest roads are soft and easily damaged. Please stay off soft roads and remember that frozen roads in the morning may be unpassable in the afternoon when they thaw.

“Nobody wants to drop to the axel way out in the woods,” said Reidy. “Conditions change quickly throughout the day and they change depending on location along a route. An area that stays shaded longer may not dry out as fast as other places on the same road. It’s better to come back another day than to risk damaging your vehicle or a Forest Road.”

Forest visitors are encouraged to check with the local Ranger District before heading out for the day as the Travel Plan Map and the Firewood Cutting and Removal Map may show routes as open that have been temporarily closed because the road has been damaged or is impassible.

“Reports are always welcome,” encouraged Reidy. “When we hear back from individuals about what they’ve seen and experienced in the woods, we’re better able to provide information to visitors and to care for the Forest.

More information about the personal use firewood program is available online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/okawen/passes-permits/forestproducts, or by calling (509)486-2186.

Please remember, to minimize the spread of invasive pests, your firewood should be from only a few miles away, or at least in the same county. Avoid moving it over long distances. For more info: www.dontmovefirewood.org/.