Woodcutting Permits

Fuelwood Cutting on the Tahoe National Forest

Cutting fuelwood for personal use is a popular pastime for many people who live near the Tahoe National Forest. Each year, hundreds of people go to the woods to stock up on a supply of fuelwood for the winter. There is something very satisfying about a nicely cut, split, and stacked wood pile.

What you need to know before cutting fuelwood

Before you head out with your chainsaw, there are a few things you should know about cutting fuelwood on the Tahoe National Forest.

A Tahoe National Forest Personal Use Fuelwood permit is only good for wood collected on the Tahoe National Forest. The permit is NOT valid for cutting wood on neighboring national forests, private land, or other non-National Forest System lands. Use the Personal Use Fuelwood Maps to ensure that you are cutting on National Forest System lands within the Tahoe National Forest.
The Tahoe National Forest Personal Use Fuelwood Permit is valid on all four Districts on the Forest:

Yuba River Ranger District
15924 Highway 49
Camptonville CA 95922
(530) 362-8259

American River Ranger District
22830 Foresthill Road
Foresthill CA 95631
(530) 492-5631

Sierraville Ranger District
317 So. Lincoln St./PO Box 95
Sierraville CA 96126
(530) 994-3401

Truckee Ranger District
10811 Stockrest Springs Road
Truckee CA 96161
(530) 536-0417

January starts the new year for fuelwood permits, running through to December 31st.
The fuelwood cutting season on the Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts begins on April 24 of each year and runs through December 31^st.
On the American River Ranger District, driving off any designated motor vehicle route to gather fuelwood is prohibited.
Anyone 18 years or older may acquire a permit.
Woodcutters are required to have the permit and all attachments and maps in their possession while cutting, gathering, and transporting fuelwood.

The person named on the permit must be present during wood cutting, gathering, and transporting.
All regulations and conditions stated within the permit, the Tahoe National Forest Personal Use Fuelwood Conditions, and the Tahoe National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps must be followed for the area where wood is being cut and collected.

Wood collected under the permit must be transported to and used at the address listed on the permit. Wood is for personal-use only and may not be sold to another party.
A household is limited to no more than 10 cords of personal-use fuelwood per calendar year. A standard cord of wood is a well-stacked pile of wood measuring four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long.
The cost is $15.00 per cord with a minimum permit charge of $30.00 for a two-cord permit.
As a reminder, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to check and be aware of the fuelwood cutting restrictions in effect. Fuelwood cutting restriction information can be obtained by phoning 530-478-6176 at any time.

How to obtain your personal-use fuelwood permit

You can purchase your permits in one of three ways:

Via the Internet - Write a letter requesting a permit and include the information below***. Send the letter by “dragging and dropping” it to this SECURE ONLINE FILE FOLDER and then hit the SUBMIT button. The permit will be processed once your check is received or you will be called to make a credit/debit card payment by the office you requested.
USPS mail - Write a letter requesting a permit and include the information below. Mail your letter to one of the offices listed below. Include a check/money order or indicate in your letter when you would like to be called to make a payment by credit/debit card.
Telephone - Call your local office during working hours to provide your personal information and your credit/debit card information over the phone.

The permit with all attachments will be returned by United States Postal Service mail after payment has been made. Permittees can expect to receive their permit within 10 business days after payment has been made by the requestor.

All payments must be made by credit/debit card, check, money order, or cash.

***To obtain your permit, please provide the following information:

Permittee's name
Physical address (location where wood will be used) including city, state, and zip code
Address for mailing the permit and maps.
Permittee's driver's license or ID# including state and expiration date
Permittee's make, model, color, plate number and year of vehicle being used to collect wood
Permittee's telephone number(s)
Number of cords requesting
State if you will be mailing a check (and to which office) or if you would like to pay by credit/debit card over the phone (and which office/day you are available to take the call).

Office Locations and Hours:

Yuba River Ranger District: By appointment only, Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
15924 Highway 49
Camptonville CA 95922
(530) 288-3231

American River Ranger District: Thursdays and Fridays, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
22830 Foresthill Road
Foresthill CA 95631
(530) 492-5631

Sierraville Ranger District: Thursdays and Fridays, 8:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M.
317 So. Lincoln St./PO Box 95
Sierraville CA 96126
(530) 994-3401

Truckee Ranger District: Thursdays and Fridays, 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
10811 Stockrest Springs Road
Truckee CA 96161
(530) 587-3558

Tahoe National Forest Supervisor’s Office: Mondays - Fridays, 9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
631 Coyote Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-4531

Where is cutting allowed?

Please check our Tahoe National Forest Current Conditions webpage for up-to-date information regarding closed areas and restrictions due to fires or other forest conditions. We also publish Forest Orders and require you are up to date with current information before you go out to cut fuelwood on the forest.

Please remember to follow the rules and conditions for both the fuelwood permit and attachments, and the Tahoe National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps. Consult your permit to see how far off the road you may drive a vehicle to collect fuelwood. Lastly, we recommend you check our Current Road Status page to see that all roads you plan on using are operational and safe for travel.

Late spring and late fall are generally the best times to cut fuelwood. Most fuelwood does not burn well when freshly cut. You should plan on drying fuelwood for several months before using it.

Fire Prevention Precautions - Your Responsibility!

It is the responsibility of permittee to check and be aware of the fuelwood cutting status in effect. Fuelwood cutting restriction information, referred to as Fuelwood Activity Level, can be obtained by phoning (530) 478-6176 at any time. The following recorded information is provided and updated by 5 PM for the next day:

Fuelwood Activity Level (FAL) Restriction – Updated Daily

A Allowed
B Allowed
C Allowed until 1 PM (No vehicles off road after 1 PM)
D Allowed until 1 PM on Landings and Roadbeds Only (No vehicles off road after 1 PM)
E & EV NO WOODCUTTING ALLOWED (No vehicles off road)

Equipment Requirements

It is the permittee’s responsibility to comply with all equipment regulations. Chainsaws and other internal combustion engines must be equipped with a USFS approved. As a fire precaution, permittees are required to have in their possession a serviceable shovel with a minimum overall handle length of at least 46 inches and an UL-approved 2-pound dry chemical or 1-pound foam Type A, B, C, or greater fire extinguisher. The extinguisher must be within 25 feet of each operating power saw or any other internal combustion engine. Use of glass bottles or jugs for fuel is prohibited.

Firewood for Campfires

A permit or fee is not required for firewood gathered in association with camping in developed and dispersed campgrounds.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tahoe/passes-permits/?cid=stelprdb5212195