Stanislaus National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service
Stanislaus National Forest

Personal-Use Fuelwood Season to Begin

Sonora, CA (March 21, 2008) ... The Forest Service today announced that starting Wednesday, March 26, Personal Use Fuelwood Permits will be available for purchase at Stanislaus National Forest offices. Fuelwood season officially begins Tuesday, April 1 and will continue to approximately November 30, depending on weather and road conditions.

To avoid a price increase necessary to cover processing fees, the Forest is charging $25.00 for a two-and-a-half-cord purchase. This charge is equal to the $10.00 per cord charged in past years. The maximum purchase of 10 cords per household still exists. Permit terms and federal regulations are strictly enforced.

Although the Personal Use Fuelwood season begins April 1, some Forest roads have not yet opened for vehicle travel due to current weather and road conditions. A number of Forest roads will remain temporarily closed until drier conditions render them passable without causing damage to resources. Early season woodcutters are reminded to contact their local Ranger Station to find out about wood cutting regulations, current road conditions, and which roads are open and dry enough for vehicle travel.

To provide for safety, protect vital access routes, and care for the land, Forest managers are asking visitors to use common sense when driving Forest roads. Visitors are asked to adjust their driving to current weather and Forest road conditions. Driving on soft, muddy, rain-soaked unsurfaced Forest roads can easily cause deep wheel ruts, possibly resulting in road damage and soil erosion. Traveling on drier roads helps to reduce maintenance costs and protects Forest resources. Visitors should use defensive driving techniques on all Forest roads, staying alert for the unexpected, including other vehicles, livestock, as well as rocks, slides, and washouts.

Fuelwood cutters are asked to carefully review and fully comply with the terms specified on their permits. Each chainsaw must be equipped with an approved, serviceable spark arrestor. A shovel and approved, serviceable fire extinguisher must be readily available at the cutting site. Fuelwood cutters also must have their permit present with them at the cutting site. Fuelwood loads must be clearly marked, with this year's tags properly punched, designating the correct month and day, and attached to the rear of the load, displayed in plain view.

The operation of chainsaws is permitted only on authorized “cut days,” and is prohibited on “no cut days” during periods of higher fire danger. Before heading out, fuelwood cutters should call (209) 532-5601 for a pre-recorded message, or check at any open Ranger Station to find out if that day is a permissible “cut day.”

Motor vehicle travel is permitted up to 100 feet from roads and established travel ways for direct access to woodcutting, provided that no resource damage occurs; and that such access is not otherwise prohibited. Only dead and down material may be taken, and all firewood must be cut less than 6 feet in length prior to hauling. Visitors are encouraged to contact their local Ranger Station for an update on road conditions before heading out. Woodcutters may obtain Personal-Use Fuelwood permits at all Stanislaus National Forest offices.

The public may also obtain Personal Use Fuel-wood Permits through the mail. A permit application can be mailed to anyone who contacts a Forest office at the above listed telephone numbers. Additionally, woodcutting Information and a permit application is retrievable on the Forest website.

With the arrival of warmer weather, Forest front desk customer service staffs are gearing up for another busy spring, summer, and fall recreation season. As always, Forest visitors will be able to pick up their campfire permits and wilderness permits, purchase maps and books, enjoy interpretive programs, and get information at Forest offices on all the best places to camp, hike, fish, swim, and backpack.