Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
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Passes & Permits
Firewood Cutting Permits
A permit and load tickets are required A firewood cutting permit and load tickets are required to cut, gather, and transport firewood on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The firewood cutting season is from May 1 to November 30.
Permit cost The cost for a cord of firewood is $5.00. Beginning this firewood cutting season, the minimum purchase is $20.00 or four cords of firewood. A maximum purchase of 10 cords total per household is allowed during the calendar year.
Where to get permits Firewood cutting permits are available at the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Headquarters office, Wallowa Mountains Visitor Center, Ranger District offices, and at the following commercial outlets:
Local Permit Vendors
Where to go Not all lands on the National Forest are open to firewood cutting. Please consult the firewood map to be sure you are in an area where cutting is permitted. Remember that not all land within the Forest is publicly owned. It is your responsibility to be certain you are not trespassing on private land. The permit is for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands only, and not for State, BLM, or private lands.Union - Bare's Hometown Hardware, 206 S. Main Street
Starkey – Starkey Station, 58588 Grande Ronde River Road
Sumpter - The Gold Post , 150 N. Mill Street
Ontario - Draper's Outdoor Power Equipment , 201 SE 2nd St.
Brogan - Vilsmeyer's Country Store , Highway 26, In Town
Unity - Unity Country Store , Highway 26, In Town
Areas excluded from firewood cutting *
- Posted Areas (Old Growth Areas, etc.)
- Wilderness Areas
- Developed Campgrounds, Picnic Areas, Administrative Sites, & timber sale units
- North Powder Wild and Scenic River Corridor
- Wild & Scenic Snake River Corridor
- Native Vegetation Areas on the HCNRA
- Research Natural Areas
- Starkey Experimental Forest
- Designated Scenic Byways
- Baker City & La Grande Watersheds
- Spring Creek Winter Range Area
- On either side of the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (Forest Road 39)
Do not cut trees with signs, tags, or paint.
* Please see firewood cutting area map for additional restricted sites.
Stump diameter, height, and species limitations Dead or down trees less than 24 inches across the stump may be cut and removed for firewood. When cutting down a dead tree, the remaining standing stump should be no more than 12 inches high. No standing or down ponderosa pine are to be cut or removed. Do not cut any live trees!
How to tell if the tree is dead Trees without any green needles may still be alive. Western Larch (tamarack) loses its needles in the fall and is still a live tree. A wind blown tree may take several months or years to die. Do not cut the tree if it has any green needles and/or the inner bark, called the cambium, is green, wet, spongy, light in color. To test a questionable dead tree before it is cut, peel away a small section of the bark and examine the thin cambium layer between the bark and the wood. A dead tree has no green needles and the cambium is dry and dark color.
Hauling restrictions Logs larger than 6 inches in diameter on the large end may not be hauled in lengths over 8 feet. Smaller material has no length restrictions.
To validate the load ticket After loading the firewood, completely remove the month and day on the colored load ticket, corresponding with the date the firewood is being removed. On the back of the load, firmly staple, nail, or tack one ticket for each 1/2 cord being transported. All load tickets must be clearly visible.
What is a cord of firewood? One cord of firewood measures 4ft. X 4ft. X 8ft. which equals 128 cubic feet and weighs approximately 2,662 lbs. The average half-ton pickup can carry a 1/2 cord of dry wood without overloading the vehicle. Remember to validate the firewood load tickets before leaving the cutting area.
Fire requirements & restrictions Firewood cutters are required to have the following equipment while cutting and transporting firewood:
Saw: Exhaust system in good repair. Screen-type spark arrestor of 0.023" mesh or less, qualified under US Forest Service standards.
Shovel: Long-handled, round point with 8 inch blade.
Fire extinguisher: Charged with pressurized chemical. Not less than 8 oz. capacity by weight. Type AB.
Fire watch: A one-hour fire watch is required after shutting down the chainsaw.
During periods of high fire danger, restrictions that prohibit fuelwood cutting may be enacted. Contact the nearest Ranger Station or call the following phone numbers to hear a recorded message on current fire restrictions:
Baker City (541) 523-1234
La Grande (541) 962-8679
Enterprise (541) 426-5552
Firewood for sale Firewood cutters interested in selling firewood should contact any Ranger District office for information on a commercial firewood sale or a Forest Product Sale Permit (also known as a commercial fuelwood permit).
Use of permit by another party In very limited circumstances (when a person is not physically able to collect the firewood him or herself), a third party permission attachment to the personal use firewood permit may be approved. It is necessary to have approval and the signed form before collecting firewood. Contact your closest Ranger District office for details.
USDA Forest Service - Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 10 March 2004 at 20:30:25 EST