Permits to cut firewood on the San Juan National Forest are on sale at agency offices and selected retail outlets.
A minimum purchase of $20 allows the holder to gather 2½ cords of dead or downed firewood from the San Juan National Forest for personal use through 2018.
Permits, which come with a brochure and map, are available at:
San Juan National Forest Headquarters, 15 Burnett Court, DurangoKroegers Ace Hardware, 8 Town Plaza, DurangoColumbine Ranger District, 367 South Pearl, BayfieldCox Conoco, 201 East Railroad Ave., MancosDolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184, DoloresDolores Food Market, 400 Railroad Ave., DoloresPagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St., Pagosa SpringsThe forest is currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which means chain saws must have an approved spark arrester and the saw operator must have a fire extinguisher that meets 2A rating and a round-pointed shovel at least 35 inches long. Fire restrictions will change during the season.
Permits are divided into five separate tags; each tag is good for a half-cord of firewood and can be used separately or all at one time. One household may purchase permits for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use. A cord is measured as a stack 4 by 4 by 8 feet. Cutting firewood for commercial resale requires a commercial permit, and information can obtained at each district office.
Restrictions apply to the cutting of standing dead ponderosa pine and live Gambel oak. Permit-holders are expected to be familiar with all regulations.
For more information, call 247-4874 or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.
