Firewood cutting permits now available

Posted

By Scott Owen | Forest Service 

The San Juan National Forest is now selling permits to cut firewood. 

Specific agency offices will offer permits for sale, utilizing established protocols and times listed below. A minimum purchase of $20 allows the permit holder to gather two and a half cords of dead and downed firewood from the San Juan National Forest for personal use.

Permits are divided into five separate tags; each tag is good for one-half cord of firewood and can be used separately or all at one time. One household may purchase a permit for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use. A cord is measured as a stack 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet. Restrictions apply to cutting standing dead ponderosa pine and live Gambel oak. Cutting firewood for commercial resale requires a commercial permit. Permits are valid until Dec. 31. 

Chain saws must have an approved spark arrester and it is recommended operators carry an ax or shovel. Fire restrictions may be put in place during the summer; it is the permit holder’s responsibility to adhere to any additional posted fire restrictions. Permit holders are expected to abide by all regulations written on their permit. More information on firewood gathering regulations is available on the Forest Products Permits Web page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sanjuan/passes-permits/forestproducts.

Individuals can purchase permits at Pagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St., Pagosa Springs, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Service will be provided through the first window to the right of the office front door. The office lobby will not be open. Only one customer will be served at a time and priority given to issuing permits and responding to requests that can be addressed quickly rather than providing detailed trip planning. 

For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874.