Firewood

2026 Central Oregon Firewood Synopsis

Firewood cutting season on the Deschutes National Forest is open May 1 through November 30.

The synopsis contains the rules and regulations for firewood areas on the Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland.

You can visit local vendors to obtain your synopsis, maps and tags.

Please call ahead to verify if the Forest Service office you're interested in visiting is open and issuing permits.

Visit the Public Use Fire Restrictions page to check on current restrictions around chainsaw use.

Woodcutting Maps

Deschutes National Forest

Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland

Vendors

 Firewood Cutting Rules

Firewood cutting season on the Deschutes National Forest is open May 1 through November 30.

1.  Permittee must be present and have in their possession:

• Permit
• Synopsis - Rules & Regulations
• Firewood Unit Maps
• Load tags
• Required Fire equipment:
  • Spark arrester 0.023” or less on chain saw.
  • Shovel - long handled, round point, 8” blade (size 0).
  • Fire extinguisher with a pressurized chemical of no less than 8-ounce capacity by weight.

1. The current year’s load tag must be validated by completely removing the month and day that you are removing the firewood. The validated tag must be highly visible at the back of the load, and displayed prior to moving the vehicle. Previous year’s tags are not valid. One tag is required for every 1/2 cord of firewood, or any portion thereof.
2. Each household may obtain up to eight (8) cords of free personal-use firewood annually. Permit is for personal use only and cannot be sold, transferred or bartered.
3. Fill out Product Removal Record on your signed free-use permit.
4. Woodcutting is prohibited in all posted timber sales, contract areas, developed campgrounds, old growth areas, research natural areas, riparian areas, wilderness areas and all other areas posted closed to woodcutting. Riparian areas are defined as follows for each National Forest (NF):

Deschutes NF - riparian areas are defined as land within 300 feet of water such as springs, streams, wet meadows, floodplains and overflow channels.

Crooked River National Grassland (CRNG) and Ochoco NF – Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs) are NOT open to woodcutting. These areas are displayed on each map, in light gray under the legend category of “Closed to Woodcutting – Riparian”.

1. Do not cut trees (standing and/or down) marked with paint, signs, wildlife tags, blazes or with any evidence of wildlife habitation such as nests or cavities.
2. Open and closed dates, species authorized for removal, and other restrictions may vary by map, see each cutting area map for specific information about firewood cutting.
3. Woodcutting is authorized for dead trees only, or as specified on woodcutting maps. Some areas do not allow the cutting of standing dead trees. Be familiar with the map of your cutting area.
4. Where cutting of standing trees is allowed, stump heights may not exceed 12 inches. Maximum length of wood allowed to be transported is 6 feet. Remove all wood down to 3 inches in diameter for less waste.
5. Protect all green trees and other vegetation during falling and removal activities. Live trees and other vegetation may not be cut to create access to firewood.
6. The only power equipment authorized for use are: chain saws, winches and hydraulic splitters, unless otherwise prohibited in specific cutting areas.
7. Woodcutting activity is permitted only within designated firewood area boundaries as specified on woodcutting map.
8. Cut and scatter limbs and tops so they lie no more than 12” from the ground. This reduces potential for wildfire. Remove all slash from roads, ditches, and trails.
9. Woodcutters must comply with all road closures, seasonal road closures, and transport firewood in vehicles less than 26,000 lbs GVW.
10. No tree felling within 100 feet of utility lines.