The area will open for fuelwood collection between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on these three days. All firewood collection activities must be completed and everyone must exit the Reds Meadow Valley by 4:00 pm each day when the gate at Minaret Vista will be locked for the night. This is a one-time event for these three days only, which will be supervised by U.S. Forest Service personnel. A vehicle checkpoint will be established at Minaret Vista Entrance Station, one mile from the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Access into the valley will only be allowed for fuelwood cutting activities. Those collecting firewood will need to check in before cutting fuelwood, and check out with their tagged load of fuelwood at this check point. You must have a valid 2013 personal use fuelwood permit to collect dead and down material only. Permittees will be required to park along the shoulder of established roads during collecting activities, and will not be permitted to drive off-road for firewood retrieval. Firewood gathering will be permitted throughout the valley with the following exceptions: no firewood cutting will be allowed within Reds Meadow Resort & Pack Station, Agnew Meadow Pack Station, Agnew Meadows Campground, and Devils Postpile National Monument Boundaries. All other wood cutting regulations are in effect.
Fuelwood permits may be purchased at local Forest Service Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers. Fuelwood permits are $15.00 per cord with a two cord minimum purchase. The Inyo National Forest will institute shut down days (for chainsaw use) based upon daily Project Activity Levels. Permit holders can call (760) 873-2555 for information on shut down days.
Fuelwood permits may be obtained at the following locations:
- Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center in Lee Vining; (760) 647-3044
- Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center in Mammoth Lakes; (760) 924-5500
- White Mountain Ranger Station in Bishop; (760) 873-2500
- InterAgency Visitor Center in Lone Pine; (760) 876-6222.
