Firewood for Personal Use Permits

Fire Precaution Requirements

Be sure you know what you need to do to comply with Fire Precaution Requirements which are in effect from spring through fall.

Firewood isn't as readily available as it once was since the Willamette National Forest does not harvest as much timber as in the past.

The availability and procedures for gathering firewood vary by Ranger District. Because of this variability, it is best to contact the Ranger District where you would like to find wood to determine the current status. The cost for firewood is $10 per cord with a 2 cord minimum. In all cases only wood that is on the ground (down wood) may be gathered for firewood. Plan ahead; wood is not always available!

Here's how it works on our various districts:

McKenzie River Ranger District:
Conducts a firewood lottery each year by accepting postcards in January through February. Postcards need to have name, address, telephone & chain saw bar size. Only one entry per household is accepted. The first of March the district holds a lottery and sends out notification of each person's lottery number. We work through the list through the year. Please contact McKenzie River Ranger District if you have additional questions.

Middle Fork Ranger District (located in Westfir)
Individuals find their own wood. If they find a possible log, they make note of the road number, approximate mileage marker, etc. This information is passed on to the District firewood coordinator. The firewood coordinator determines whether to issue a permit based on an examination of the log, and its location (not in an LSR or other reserve area). If approved, the coordinator issues them a woodcutting map, and we sell the individual a wood permit.

Detroit Ranger District:
Has designated firewood areas depicted on a map of the district, some areas have special regulations.
March through November is a good time for gathering firewood.
For more information please call Detroit Ranger District.

Sweet Home Ranger District:
Availability varies. They designate areas, typically after a blow-down situation or (occasionally) after a timber sale. Usually they seem to have more firewood available in the Spring and Fall because that's when they have more blowdown. They advertise in the local paper when firewood is available. Best policy is to contact them.

Because of the variability in procedures and availability, it is best to contact the Ranger District where you would like to find wood to determine the current status. Plan ahead; wood is not always available!

Contact information and locations for each of our Ranger Districts is available from our "General Information" section.