Free firewood program extended

The Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and the Crooked River National Grassland will extend free personal-use firewood cutting through September 30. The same procedures announced at the beginning of May remain in effect. Firewood cutters can forego the normal requirement to obtain a permit from a Forest Service office or vendor.

This interim change to the firewood permitting process is an effort to maximize social distancing measures. After September 30, the Forest Service plans to return to the regular process of issuing firewood permits and load tags at our offices and vendor locations.

Firewood cutters can also take an additional two cords of firewood for personal use only. This is in addition to the four cords allowed during the month of May, for a total of six cords between May 1 and September 30. Inquire by phone or email with your local district office regarding commercial firewood permits.

Firewood cutters taking advantage of this opportunity will be required to follow the same rules and regulations that are in effect during the regular firewood cutting season. These rules and regulations are found in the “2020 Central Oregon Personal Use Firewood Synopsis” and on individual firewood cutting area maps.

Free personal use firewood cutters will be required to have the following in their possession while cutting, loading and transporting firewood:

1. A completed and signed hard-copy version of the “Free Personal Use Firewood Authorization;” dated/valid June 1, 2020 to September 30th, 2020.

2. A digital or hard-copy version of the “2020 Central Oregon Personal Use Firewood Synopsis.”

3. A digital or hard-copy version of the appropriate firewood cutting area map (i.e., the map covering the area where the firewood is being cut).

The Authorization, Synopsis and maps can be acquired at https://go.usa.gov/xd4xV; at local participating vendors; at Forest Service offices (located outside near the front doors); at Avenza.com. Firewood cutting area maps can be downloaded onto your electronic devices with the PDF Maps app available from Avenza.com.

All firewood cutting is subject to periods of shutdown due to high fire danger or the implementation of Public Use Restrictions (PURs). Check the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) (1-800-523-4737) prior to cutting firewood. See the 2020 Central Oregon Personal Use Firewood Synopsis, page 3, for information about IFPL.

For more information contact Sisters Ranger District 541-549-7700.