As of May 2, the San Juan National Forest is selling permits to cut firewood this year across the Forest.
Specific agency offices will offer permits for sale, utilizing established protocols and times listed below. A minimum purchase of $20 allows the permit holder to gather two-and-a-half cords of dead and downed firewood from the San Juan National Forest for personal use.
Permits are divided into five separate tags; each tag is good for ½ cord of firewood and can be used separately or all at one time. One household may purchase a permit for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use. A cord is measured as a stack 4’ x 4’ x 8’. Restrictions apply to cutting standing dead ponderosa pine and live Gambel oak. Cutting firewood for commercial resale requires a commercial permit. Permits are valid until December 31, 2022.
Chainsaws must have an approved spark arrester and it is recommended operators carry an axe or shovel. Fire restrictions may be put in place during the summer, it is the permit holder’s responsibility to adhere to any additional posted fire restrictions. Permit holders are expected to abide by all regulations written on their permit.
More information on firewood gathering regulations is available on the Forest Products Permits webpage.
Permits, with a brochure and map, are available at Kroeger’s Ace Hardware, 8 Town Plaza, Durango.
Individuals can also purchase permits at the following agency offices using the process outlined below:
- Pagosa Ranger District, 180 Pagosa St., Pagosa Springs, 8:00am – 4:00pm, M – F
- San Juan National Forest Headquarters, 15 Burnett Court, Durango, 8:00am – 4:30pm, M – F
- Columbine Ranger District, 367 South Pearl, Bayfield, 8:00am – 4:30pm, M – F
Service will be provided through the first window to the right of the office front door. The office lobby will not be open. Only one customer will be served at a time and priority given to issuing permits and responding to requests that can be addressed quickly rather than providing detailed trip planning.
For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874.