Permits
Recreation Permits
Recreation permits may be required when extra measures are needed to protect natural or cultural resources. Recreation permits can include: Wilderness Permits, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area permits and Rifle Range permits. Please contact the nearest Forest Service office for information about permits that may be required in that area.
Contact Nearest Forest Service Office
Campfire Permits
Permits are currently required for the use of portable gas stoves or wood or charcoal fires outside of designated recreation sites. These are free and are available online or at Forest Service offices. Remember to check for fire restrictions before you go!
Other Permits
Where to Obtain a Wood Cutting Permit on the Los Padres National Forest
Woodcutting requirements may vary substantially so please check with your local ranger district office to see if there are any specific local restrictions or requirements.
Ranger District Offices
- Santa Barbara Ranger District – (805) 967-3481
- Santa Lucia Ranger District in Santa Maria – (805) 925-9538 ext. 0
- Ojai Ranger District in Ojai – (805) 646-4348
- Mt. Pinos Ranger District in Frazier Park – (661) 245-3731 ext. 0
- Monterey Ranger District in King City - 831-385-5434 ext. 0 (wood cutting is not allowed on the Monterey Ranger District due to Sudden Oak Death)
Wood Cutting Permits will be offered as long as wood collecting does not conflict with other forest resources and activities such as reforestation, wildlife habitat management, and fire prevention.
Shut Down Days
In an effort to be consistent with other Forest activities, we will suspend firewood cutting on VERY HIGH and EXTREME fire danger days. On these days you will not be allowed to use a chainsaw. Wood permit holders can reference the online project activity level guide to see if chainsaw use is allowed for the area they intend to collect wood by visiting http://gacc.nifc.gov/oscc/ecc/lpcc/daily-indices/index.php. For information on Forest closures in effect, visit Alerts or call one of the Ranger District Offices.
It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to the following regulations:
- Collect down and dead wood only. No standing trees may be cut, pushed or pulled down.
- Permits cannot be sold, transferred or given away.
- Carry your Wood Cutting Collecting Permit, Map and Tags with you whenever you are collecting wood.
- Cutting wood is allowed during daylight hours only.
- Each person over 18 years of age in a given household may purchase a Permit for up to 8 cords of wood.
- A shovel or fire extinguisher must be kept available at all times when cutting firewood.
Spark Arresters Are Required!
The Forest Service and the State of California require wood collectors to equip their chainsaws and other internal combustion equipment with spark arresters. A spark arrester screen should be cleaned with a wire brush after 8 hours of use in order to keep it safe and functional. A screen should be replaced as soon as there is an increase (burning out) or decrease (clogging) in opening size.
HELP REDUCE FIRE DANGER!!! |
When starting a chainsaw:
|
While Using the Chainsaw:
|
When Adding Fuel To The Chainsaw:
|
The Forest Service manages over 192 million acres of national forests and grasslands that comprise the National Forest System. Today, our growing population and mobile society have created a demand for a variety of uses of these federal lands. Often these diverse needs require specific approval. The Forest Service provides services that support our national policy and federal land laws. The Agency's special-uses program authorizes uses on National Forest System land that provide a benefit to the general public and protect public and natural resources values. Currently there are over 74,000 authorizations on the National Forest System lands for over 180 types of uses.
Each year, the Forest Service receives thousands of individual and business applications for authorization for use of National Forest System land for such activities as water transmission, agriculture, outfitting and guiding, recreation, telecommunication, research, photography and video productions, and granting road and utility rights-of-ways. The Forest Service carefully reviews each application to determine how the request affects the public's use of National Forest System land. Normally, National Forest System land is not made available if the overall needs of the individual or business can be met on nonfederal lands.
If you are interested in obtaining a Forest Special Use Permit, please email your request to: SM.FS.LPF_Permits@usda.gov. Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.