Firewood Permits
The Lolo National Forest currently offers free firewood for personal use. The public is required to obtain a free permit before harvesting. The permits help Forest officials track harvesting and communicate important wildfire safety and collection information. Quantities up to 12 cords are authorized with a free use permit.
Those interested in collecting firewood need to visit their nearest Ranger Station. It is recommended to call ahead to ensure the office is open and a staff member is available to issue you a permit.
Personal firewood cutting will be free to the public until further notice.
- Firewood permits are free in Northern Region forests, but you must obtain a free permit and abide by it when cutting.
- Woodcutters can take up to 12 cords of firewood for personal use. A cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long.
- Personal use firewood cutting allows you to remove downed timber or to cut standing dead trees in allowed areas.
- Contact the local ranger district to see if there are any specific local restrictions or requirements other than those listed below.
- Firewood gathering is prohibited in the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Pattee Canyon area near Missoula
- Rock Creek: Firewood gathering is prohibited October 1-April 30 on Lolo National Forest land ¼ mile either side of Rock Creek, Brewster Creek, and Ranch Creek and ¼ mile either side of National Forest System Roads 4308, 4296 and 102 as shown on maps and described in Forest Order F10-015-Lolo-D3.
- Seeley Lake Ranger District: Firewood gathering is prohibited around most of the northern half of Seeley Lake, and the north-eastern sides of Lake Inez, Lake Alva and Rainy Lake. Please reference Forest Order F14-010-Lolo-D6 for more information and review the enclosed map.
- Do not fell green (live) trees for firewood. Do not cut cedar or Pacific yew.
- Do not cut standing dead trees or down logs with signs, tags or paint marks on them.
- Firewood gathering is prohibited in all developed recreation areas, campgrounds and wild and scenic river corridors.
- Firewood gathering is prohibited within timber sale units or other areas signed or shown on the firewood gathering area map (if provided) as being closed to firewood gathering.
- Trees or logs must NOT be felled or skidded across live streams, lakes, or reservoirs. If a tree is accidentally felled into a waterway, leave the entire tree. Firewood gathering is prohibited within 150 feet of any running stream, pond, lake, marshy, or wet area
- The following activities are prohibited: using over-the-terrain vehicles for skidding, yarding or skidding systems in excess of 100 feet, log trucks for hauling, or vehicles driven off roadways to gather firewood.
- Six feet is the maximum length piece that may be removed under the firewood program.
- The following are fire regulations for vehicles and chainsaws (during proclaimed fire season):
- Chainsaw operators must have a serviceable fire extinguisher (liquid chemical 8 oz. or dry chemical 1 lb.) and shovel available at all times.
- Chainsaws must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor screen.
- All vehicles must be equipped with a baffled muffler and serviceable tailpipe.
- Pile or lop and scatter slash away from roads, power lines, telephone lines, ditches and stream courses.
- Chainsaw operators must have a serviceable fire extinguisher (liquid chemical 8 oz. or dry chemical 1 lb.) and shovel available at all times.
- Chainsaws must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor screen.
- All vehicles must be equipped with a baffled muffler and serviceable tailpipe.
Woodcutters should also use caution while driving on Forest Service roads. Many remain snow covered and icy at higher elevations. Roads at lower elevations are wet and muddy and the soft roadbed can easily be damaged by vehicle traffic. Please adhere to the Motor Vehicle Use Maps available here.