Firewood

A minimum purchase of $20 allows the bearer to gather two-and-a-half cords of dead and downed firewood from the San Juan National Forest for personal use prior to December 31. Permits are divided into five separate tags; each tag is good for ½ cord of firewood. Tags can be used separately or all at one time. The appropriate number of tags must be validated and securely fastened to the load of firewood in a visible manner before the vehicle is driven from the place where the firewood was gathered.  One household may purchase permits for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use.

• A permit is valid for cutting up to and a maximum of 10 cords of personal-use firewood. A cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long.
• Woodcutters must carry their fuelwood load tags with them while cutting. The fuelwood load tags do not need to be attached to the load.
• Firewood cutters are required to have their chainsaw equipped with an approved spark arrester when cutting wood and it is recommended they carry an axe or shovel.
• Each year, permits will terminate either at midnight of December 31st or when the fuelwood tags date has been validated, whichever comes first.  

Gathering firewood for resale requires a different commercial permit.  These often cost about the same but allow for more cords and sometimes access to restricted areas or the use of heavier equipment.  Contact the local Ranger District office for details.

For more information, contact the San Juan National Forest Headquarters at (970) 247-4874.