The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

In the fall, many woodcutters rush to the woods before the firewood cutting comes to a close November 30 in the Sisters Ranger District. Four cold months of winter will pass before firewood cutting reopens in April.

Woodcutting on the Sisters Ranger District is allowed in four designated areas: Green Ridge, West Metolius, Pole Creek and Three Creeks. Maps of these designated cutting areas are provided with wood cutting permits.

Personal use permits are available for up to eight cords per household per year. The cost of a permit is $10 per cord. Permits may be obtained in Sisters at the Forest Service office or Hoyt's Hardware.

Free firewood is sometimes available in specially designated areas where wood removal is part of forest management. Check at the Sisters Ranger District office throughout the wood cutting season for the availability of free- use permits.

There is a wide variety of tree species that may be cut for firewood. White fir, grand fir, Douglas- fir, lodgepole pine, western larch, and cedar can all be found in the area and are available for cutting under the Forest Service permit. Trees cut must be dead and absent of green needles. Falling of dead trees, except Douglas- fir, is allowed.

Western larch (tamarack) has a seasonal cutting restriction because it loses its needles in the fall and appears dead until it grows new needles in the spring. Take care to leave ponderosa pine -- it may not be cut at all.

All types of wood burn hottest and cleanest when well seasoned. Green wood produces only two- thirds as much heat as properly seasoned wood and produces much more smoke and creosote. It is best to cut wood early in the season, allow it to dry over the summer and to keep it covered from rain and snow. Splitting and stacking wood to provide air circulation lessens the time needed for proper seasoning.

Small hot fires produce less air pollution and reduce the potential for dangerous flue fires.

Fall is a great time to get out and enjoy yourself, but spring is the best time to be thinking about the winter's firewood supply. Cut early to get the most heat from your wood and protect Central Oregon's air quality.

And if you cut your own firewood, obtain the proper permits and follow all cutting instructions. You will be helping manage and protect our local forests.