Siuslaw National Forest

Special Forest Products

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To cut firewood on the Siuslaw National Forest, you must have a Firewood Permit.  A permit is good for gathering firewood from the time of purchase through the termination date stated on the permit.  Permits are available at most District offices.

Your permit is required to be with you or in your vehicle while cutting or transporting the firewood.  Travel together when hauling wood in more than one vehicle for the same permit.  To cut firewood for someone else (third party), authorization must be approved when purchasing the permit.  A lost or stolen permit cannot be replaced or the fee refunded.

Where Can I Cut?

Firewood cutting areas change often depending on the quantity available and the demand. There may be times when there are no firewood areas available. Check with your nearest District office to see if firewood is available and where the current cutting areas are located.

What Can I Cut?

The species of firewood usually available are Alder, Douglas-fir, and Hemlock. Check with your nearest District office to find out what is currently available.

Wildlife trees: Standing and down dead trees (snags) provide a source of food, nests, perches, and protective cover for many birds and mammals in the forest. Please don't cut trees with paint marks or signs, broken tops, trunk holes or visible nests.

Help Protect

Please help us protect water quality and fish habitat. Avoid cutting, piling, or gathering firewood near any stream, pond, lake, marshy or wet area. Check your permit for guidance on specific distances.

The Best Firewood

Some trees burn hotter than others. The list below shows common types of trees in our area and their heat values in BTUs (British Thermal Units). A higher value indicates more heat.

Measuring And Hauling Firewood

Firewood is commonly measured in cords. A standard cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack 4 feet wide and 4 feet high by 8 feet long. Firewood shall not be hauled in lengths greater than 6 feet.

Chainsaw and Fire Safety

As a chainsaw operator, you must have a serviceable fire extinguisher (8 oz. liquid chemical or 1 lb. dry chemical) and shovel available at all times.

1. Your saw must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor.

2. You can avoid starting a fire with your chainsaw by following these common sense rules:

• Keep the saw well away from cigarettes or open flame when adjusting or fueling the saw.

• Let your saw cool for at least 5 minutes before refueling.

• Carry your gas in a metal safety can equipped with a spout. Use a funnel to avoid spilling gasoline on the ground.

• Before starting your saw, move it from the place where it was fueled and away from gasoline vapors. Also, remove oil and sawdust from all metal parts.

3. You must carry a shovel and a bucket when traveling through or on National Forest lands during fire season. Contact your nearest Forest Service office for information concerning local fire danger and chainsaw use restrictions.

4. Be aware of the dangers when cutting near or along roads.

Before You Go...

Please leave your firewood cutting area clean. Scatter debris away from roads, culverts and ditches. Pack your garbage out with you

USDA Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest
Last modified Monday, June 05 2006