KAMIAH, ID – Personal use firewood cutting on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests land will be free to the general public from April 1 through June 1, 2020. A personal use firewood permit will not be required during this time.

Personal use firewood cutting allows you to remove downed timber or cut standing dead trees under most conditions. Wood cutters 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.

Forest Service officials request that wood cutters follow these restrictions and requirements:

• 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 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 arrester screen.
• All vehicles must be equipped with a baffled muffler and serviceable tailpipe.
• Firewood obtained is intended for personal use only. Inquire by phone or email with your local ranger station regarding commercial firewood permits.
• Pile or lop and scatter slash away from roads, power lines, telephone lines, ditches and stream courses.

Wood cutters should also use caution while driving on Forest Service roads. Many remain snow covered and icy at higher elevations. Roads at lower elevations may be wet and muddy and the soft roadbed can easily be damaged by vehicle traffic.

(article by via Big Country News)