Fuelwood Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Fuelwood Permits are available to purchase from May 15, 2023, through November 30, 2023.

Fuelwood permits are available to purchase May 15, through November 30, 2023.

The fuelwood brochure does not have road openings, closures or restrictions posted on it. The fuelwood brochure should be used in conjunction with the District Motor Vehicle Use Map of the area.

Fuelwood permits prices are $6.25 per cord with a 4-cord minimum and a 10-cord maximum per household. If you want all 10 cords, permits must be purchased in combinations of 5 cords and 5 cords, or 4 cords and 6 cords, or all 10 cords at once.

Cutting fuelwood within closure areas is prohibited. Check on the Alerts & Notices pages of Forest websites for closure information.

Check this year’s fuelwood brochure, fuelwood map, and the current Motor Vehicle Use Maps to make sure you are cutting in an area open to fuelwood gathering and pay special attention to closed areas and roads with restoration activities. Regulations prohibit the cutting of dead or living white bark pine trees due to that species decline, and they are critically important to several wildlife species.

Fuelwood permits are valid within the Boise, Payette and Sawtooth Forests. All motorized travel related to fuelwood gathering must be in full accordance with Forest Service travel regulations for the area as shown in the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), unless specifically exempted in the fuelwood permit.

Permit holders are encouraged to cut fuelwood early in the year because fire restrictions may impact the cutting season later in the summer. Early season fuelwood cutters should use caution to avoid wet muddy roads, where travel may cause resource damage. Fuelwood cutting is not allowed within riparian areas (adjacent to creeks and rivers).

Regulations are available when permits are issued. For additional information, contact the local Ranger District offices, or Forest websites. Check with forest vendors for weekend hours.

Larch or Tamarack cannot be cut after November 1. Larch lose their needles every fall and appear to be dead, resulting in too many live trees accidently cut. This new regulation is to prevent the cutting of live Larch trees after they have lost their needles in the fall.

Whitebark Pine cannot be cut: Cutting, damaging, or removing Whitebark pine is prohibited under the Endangered Species Act. Any person who knowingly violates any provision of any other regulation issued under this Act shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. 50 CFR 17.74

Where to Go? Maps, etc.

Not all lands on the National Forest are open to firewood cutting. Please consult the firewood map to be sure you are in an area where cutting is permitted. In some areas on the Forest, only downed logs are available. Remember that not all land within the Forest is publicly owned. It is your responsibility to be certain you are not trespassing on private land. The permit is for Boise, Payette and Sawtooth National Forest lands only, not State, BLM or private lands.

For information about wood gathering on State or Private lands please contact the Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association (SITPA) in McCall 208-634-2268 or State of Idaho Dept. of Lands (Boise) 208-334-3488.

If you need help finding firewood ask for help at the nearest Ranger District office. They may have areas where they want to remove small diameter trees.

Northern Boise National Forest Map

Southern Boise National Forest Map

Permit Information

There is a 4-cord minimum purchase for the personal use fuelwood permits. The minimum permit is $25.00 ($6.25 per cord). You can buy up to 10 cords per family per year. The personal use fuelwood permit is for your own personal use. The person gathering the fuelwood must be present to purchase and sign for the permit, tags and fuelwood brochure. 

With your fuelwood permit purchase, you will receive the permit, load tickets (in 1/4 cord increments), and a Boise, Sawtooth or Payette National Forest fuelwood brochure to assist you in locating an appropriate area.

Boise NF recommends you carry a copy of the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) with you when harvesting.

Options for Purchasing Permits

Vendors

Fuelwood permits can be purchased at the following commercial vendor locations:

Caldwell:  East Cleveland Beverage / 208-459-6442
Emmett:  B & W Fuels: / 208-365-2291
Idaho City:  Idaho City Grocery / 208-392-4426
 

Ranger District Offices: (Some expceptions apply, see below) 

• Idaho City Ranger District office hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 10 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Garden Valley Work Center: Staffing may be intermittent; we recommend calling before making the trip to ensure staffing 208-462-3241.

Interagency Visitor Center: 208-373-4038, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, Idaho. 

Fuelwood permits are available for purchase in the Interagency Visitor Center:

• Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m.- 11:30 and 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Fridays from 9 a.m.-10:00 and 12:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Additional Information

One cord of fuelwood measures 4ft. X 4ft. X 8ft. which equals 128 cubic feet and weighs approximately 2662 lbs. The average half-ton pickup can carry 1/2 cord of dry wood without overloading the vehicle. Remember to validate your fuelwood with load tickets before you leave the area where you cut.

Please stay ut of riparian areas!

Riparian areas include the trees and other plants that grow along streams, rivers and lakes. These areas are important to the forest. The plants hold soil in place, absorb excess water, provide shade and shelter, and filter runoff.

Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) are zones that protect riparian areas. They include the land 300 feet along both side of streams, rivers, lakes and wet areas. The firewood permit prohibits firewood cutting, vehicle and trailer parking, slash piling and travel within RCAs.

To protect valuable riparian areas, please observe the following restrictions for fuelwood harvesting in riparian areas:

NO fuelwood cutting is allowed within 300 ft. on both sides of perennial streams. (Perennial streams flow year-round.) Perennial streams are shown on the map that comes with your fuelwood permit.

NO fuelwood cutting is allowed within 100 ft. on both sides of intermittent streams. (These are streams that do not have water in them all year. At times they may look like dry stream beds.) Intermittent streams are not shown on the permit map.

Allowed exceptions for the RCA buffer zones: When a road runs parallel to the stream and the stream is on the downhill side of the road, fuelwood on uphill side of the road may be removed if the fuelwood is not in the RCA of another stream on the uphill side of the road. (See fuelwood brochure for drawing of this situation.)

Boise National Forest - Cutting fuelwood within an area closure is prohibited.  Check on the Alerts & Notices page for closed areas and roads.

NO fuelwood cutting within 300 feet of these road edges or shoulders as they are visual protection zones:

1) 300 ft. both sides of State Hwy 21 from Grimes Creek northeast to Banner Summit,
2) 300 ft. both sides of State Hwy 55 within the Forest boundary,
3) 300 ft. both sides of Warm Lake Hwy (NF Hwy 22) from the Forest boundary to Landmark.

Payette National Forest

1) 150 ft. both sides of the Warren Wagon Road from the Forest boundary to Secesh Summit,
2) On the stream side of Lick Creek Road.

 

You may cut dead and down trees, with these exceptions:

DO NOT cut dead or live white bark pine trees.  Learn More about Whitebark Pine Trees

DO NOT cut live Larch (Tamarack) trees. These trees lose their needles each fall. Before cutting what appears to be a dead larch, look on the ground to see if needles have recently fallen or check just inside the bark to see if the tree is still alive. If the bark is tight, the tree is probably alive.

DO NOT cut Wildlife Trees. Standing, dead trees (snags) play a role in supporting wildlife populations in the forest. They are a source of food, nests, perches, and protective cover for many birds and mammals. Removal of snags for firewood purposes must, therefore, be carefully managed.

DO NOT cut trees that have a sign on that says, "Do Not Cut for Firewood." Typically these are found in active timber sale areas. Trees with paint on them are included in timber sales. A tree that has recently died may still be salvageable and sold. Do NOT cut trees that are painted or bear this sign. Log decks are usually located along roads in an active timber sale area. These logs have been skidded and decked for hauling by the timber sale purchaser and are not available for public use. Do not cut these log decks for firewood.

Remember Slash Disposal is an integral part of this process. DO NOT leave slash in road ditches.

It is your responsibility to abide by the rules and regulations of this program and failure to do so will result in a violation of the permit. You may be subject to fines, penalties and further prosecution.

Things to Remember:
Cut firewood cleanly and safely. Wear personal protective equipment.

Remember your fire prevention tools: an 8-ounce minimum capacity fire extinguisher and a size "0" or larger shovel. Help prevent forest fires.

Make sure your chain saw is legal to operate. See Idaho's rules and regulation pertaining to fire protection.

Report Fires To: Boise National Forest Dispatch at 208-384-3400 or SITPA 208-634-2268 for Boise Forest; McCall Dispatch at 208-634-0397 for Payette Forest.

Report Illegal Activities on the Forest to 208-373-4296 or Dispatch 208-384-3400 for Boise Forest; 208-634-0733 for Payette Forest.

Conditions of our Boise National Forest Noncommercial Firewood Permit

This permit applies to Boise and Payette National Forest lands only as designated on the fuelwood map. It is not valid on state or private land within Forest boundaries. This permit expires November 30 of the year issued. The Forest Service retains the right to close areas or roads at any time due to adverse weather conditions, fire danger or other reasons. 

When you buy a fuelwood permit you are responsible for fully understanding and agree to all conditions of the permit. Violations of the conditions of the permit are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both (16 USC 551).

General Conditions

Subject to, and in strict compliance with, all the following conditions (both General and Other) and those listed above, the Permittee named herein is authorized to harvest and remove the forest product described above. [described on front of permit]

1. This sale is final, and payments are not subject to refund.

2. Permit must be in the Permittee's possession while harvesting and transporting products. Copies are not allowed

3. This permit is nontransferable.

4. This permit and activities hereunder are subject to all applicable Federal statutes and regulations and State and local laws. In case of conflict, Federal statutes and regulations shall take precedence. Where applicable, a Memorandum of Agreement between the Forest Service and BLM governs administration and enforcement of this permit (Sec. 330, P.L. 106-291).

5. Motorized vehicles are not allowed off existing roads that are open to the public, unless otherwise specified within this permit. Permittee parking shall not block traffic or impede fire or emergency vehicles.

6. Permittee shall remove all trash and litter resulting from Permittee's activities.

7. Concurrent with forest product removal activities, slash and unused vegetative material resulting from Permittee's activities shall be removed from roads and ditches and scattered in the surrounding landscape.

8. Permittee shall comply with fire requirements and current restrictions to prevent forest fires.

9. Permittee shall pay for or repair all damage to natural features; riparian areas; other vegetation' and roads, trails, fences, ditches, telephone lines, or other improvements resulting from Permittee's activities under this permit.

10. The Forest Service and/or/BLM reserve the right to unilaterally revoke this permit for Permittee's noncompliance with its term and conditions of when revocation is in the public's interest.

11. Regardless of whether forest products are removed, this permit will terminate either at midnight of the termination date shown above, or when the quantity listed above is reached, whichever comes first.

12. None of the terms or conditions of this permit may be varied or modified, except for unilateral modifications by the Forest Service and/or BLM.

13. Permittee agrees to hold the Government harmless from any claim for damage or loss of property, personal injury or death.

14. Collection of forest products is permitted only in the area(s) described by this permit.

15. Permittee shall complete the Product Quantity Removal Record in ink before transporting products. When load tickets are issued, the permittee is required to compete load tickets when the Permittee moves between collection sites or leaves a permit area. Load tickets must be securely attached to the load and clearly visible from the rear of the vehicle.

Other Conditions

1. Skidding or driving through plantations, meadows or live streambeds. 36 CFR 261.10(l)

2. Failure to have in your immediate possession, a size "0" or larger shovel, a fire extinguisher of at least 8-ounce capacity, and an approved spark arrester on your power saw during the period of this permit. 36 CFR 261.10(l)

3. Cutting standing trees with green foliage, designated wildlife trees, live larch, cutting in an area where logging is occurring or log decks present, or trees with paint on them, unless specifically authorized in your permit. 36 CFR 261.6(a)

4. Purchasing more than 10 cords of NONCOMMERCIAL fuelwood by an individual or household per calendar year is prohibited. 36 CFR 261.10(l)

5. Permit and the appropriate Forest's current year fuelwood brochure must be in the Permittee's possession while harvesting and transporting products.

6. Cutting or removing fuelwood within 300 feet of FH 22 Warm Lake Highway is prohibited without prior written approval of a Forest Officer. 36 CFR 261.6(a)

7. It is prohibited to cut or remove fuelwood within 200 feet of developed recreation sites, administrative sites, campgrounds and areas designated and signed as "closed" or "cutting prohibited," or in areas designated as closed on the fuelwood map (unless specifically authorized on your permit) 36 CFR 261.6(a)

8. Motorized vehicle travel is only allowed consistent with designations on the official Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

9. Transporting firewood without first validating and securely attaching the load tickets in a visible position on the left rear of the load for each 1/4 cord of wood products or any portion thereof, and/or failing to properly validate each load ticket used by cutting and removing the proper month and date is prohibited. (Tickets are not reusable). 36 CFR 261.6 (h)

10. Off-route motorized travel up to 300 feet from roads designated as open on the MVUM is allowed for the purpose of fuelwood gathering only where the MVUM authorizes off-route travel for access to dispersed camping sites (see dispersed camping in the legend on the MVUM). EXCEPTION: Driving and parking of motor vehicles for the purpose of fuelwood gathering is ONLY ALLOWED WITHIN ONE VEHICLE LENGTH off any road on the MVUM in the Krassel Ranger District or off the Lake Creek Road corridor in the McCall Ranger District. Further restrictions of off-road travel for the purpose of fuelwood gathering may be identified by signing on the ground, which supersedes direction contained in this permit.

11. Cutting or removing fuelwood within a 300-foot buffer area on each side of any perennial stream, or within a 150-foot buffer area on each side of any intermittent stream or dry stream channel is prohibited.  (When a road is within the 300-foot zone (perennial stream) or 150-foot zone (intermittent stream), cutting and removal of dead trees and down logs on the uphill side of the road may be permitted). Consult fuelwood map for further clarification. 36 CFR 261.6(a) or (h)

12. Failure to stop at Forest Service checkpoints or when directed to do so by Forest Service Officers is prohibited. 36 CFR 261.10(h) 

13. Use of motorized skidding equipment without prior written approval of a Forest Officer is prohibited. 36 CFR 261.10(l)

14. Cutting or leaving stumps higher than 12 inches is prohibited. 36 CFR 261.10(l)

15. Removing or transporting fuelwood 7 inches in diameter or larger, and in lengths greater than 8 feet, is prohibited.  Fuelwood less than 7 inches in diameter on the large end may be removed in any length. 36 CFR 261.10(l)

16. Cutting or removing fuelwood within 300 feet of Idaho State Highway 21, 55, and/or US Highway 95 is prohibited. 36 CFR 261.6(a)

17. Cutting or removing any Whitebark pine (live or dead) is prohibited on the Boise, Payette and Sawtooth National Forests.