Firewood permits are now available for purchase through a new online e-permit system or in person at U.S. Forest Service (USFS) offices and with local vendors.
Permits may be purchased by computer or mobile device at any time. Permits purchased online and in store must be printed on paper and carried to the field to be valid. Permits are no longer required to be attached to the firewood load.
Online permits cost $2 per cord and are sold locally at vendors and USFS offices for $4 per cord. A permit allows firewood cutters to gather dead and downed firewood from the San Juan National Forest for personal use prior to Dec. 31. A maximum of 10 cords can be purchased per year per household for personal use.
A cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long.
Firewood cutters are required to have their chain saw equipped with an approved spark arrester when cutting wood, and it is recommended they carry an ax or shovel. Visit www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/permits/fuelwood for additional information on wood cutting regulations.
Permits are available for purchase at any of these vendors:
• Online: $2 per cord with $20 minimum purchase.
• Participating vendors: $4 per cord with $10 minimum purchase
• USFS office locations: $4 per cord with minimum $20 purchase.
The Pagosa Ranger District Office is located at 180 Pagosa St. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Columbine Ranger District Office is located at 367 Pearl St. in Bayfield. Hours are Friday only from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The San Juan National Forest Headquarters is located at 15 Burnett Court in Durango. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays.
For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874 or visit the forest website.
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