Forest Service Extends Free Fuelwood Cutting at Wrights Lake Recreation Area
Release Date: Oct 7, 2016
Contact(s): Kristi Schroeder, 530-622-5061
The Eldorado National Forest recently held two successful free wood cutting events in the Wrights Lake Recreation Area back in September. The area was severely damaged in the winter of 2013 when numerous large green trees were pushed over in extremely high winds. More than 200 trees fell during the wind storms causing a heavy accumulation of fuelwood in the areas adjacent to the campground, picnic areas, trails and recreation residences. Several special clean-up events have occurred since 2014 in which members of the community removed numerous loads of wood. However, the area still contains a large amount of dead and downed wood with much of it already cut and accessible off of adjacent roadways. The forest has decided to extend the 2016 free wood cutting event for an additional two weeks.
To continue reducing dead and downed material in the area, free residential woodcutting will be permitted from October 8th continuing through October 23rd, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Members of the public with a valid Forest Products Free Use Permit for the Wrights Lake Area will be allowed to cut and remove wood from a designated portion of the recreation area between these dates. Free Use Permits for fuelwood cutting and gathering are available at the Pacific Ranger District office. The fuelwood is predominantly lodge pole pine.
All efforts to the clear the downed material within the Wrights Lake Recreation Area will be greatly appreciated by the forest and will help the Eldorado National Forest continue to improve defensible space for both private cabins and Forest Service recreation infrastructure.
FS
Alerts & Warnings
- Blue Hole Trail Closed - Salt Springs Reservoir
- East Zone Temporary Trail Closure - Rock Creek
- Seasonal Dirt Road and Trail Closure in Effect
- Rock Creek Trails Wet Weather Closure Process
- Rock Creek Snow Zone Trail Closure Process
- Mormon Emigrant Trail Winter Vehicle Use Closure
- Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail Wheeled Vehicle Closure
- Rock Creek Seasonal Closure for Critical Deer Winter Range
- Mokelumne Wilderness Year-Round Fire Restrictions