Inyo National Forest Announces Special Fuelwood Sale for Whitney Portal Area

Inyo National Forest Announces Special Fuelwood Sale for Whitney Portal Area
Date: Oct 9, 2010 Bishop, CA
Contact(s): Nancy Upham

The Mount Whitney Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest is planning a special personal use fuelwood sale in the Whitney Portal Area beginning on October 20. A limited number of participants for this fuelwood event will be selected by lottery, since there is a very limited amount of wood available.

Whitney Portal is normally closed to gathering personal use fuelwood, however specific areas within the drainage will be opened for fuelwood during this special event as wood becomes available from a fuels reduction project. A lottery will be used to determine who will be allowed to gather fuelwood in the area. Lottery entries will be accepted during the period of October 13 through October 29. Fuelwood gathering may be allowed in this area after the close of fuelwood season on the rest of the Inyo National Forest, weather permitting.

Individuals may submit one lottery entry per person. Lottery entries may be submitted in person or by phone at the Interagency Visitor Center in Lone Pine, (760) 876-6222. Lottery entrants must provide their name, address, and contact information. The first selection will occur on October 20, so early entry is recommended.

Individuals will be randomly selected from the current pool of entries when wood is available from the project. Selectees will be notified via the personal contact information they provide. Lottery selections may be made several times as more wood becomes available. Selected individuals will be given a map of the specific locations where fuelwood can be gathered.

Selected entrants will only be allowed to collect fuelwood on set days which are determined when they are drawn, and they must possess a valid personal use fuelwood permit along with identification. Participants may gather a maximum of two cords of wood, with a valid permit, although the maximum amount of fuelwood is not guaranteed as the amount of wood could be very limited. Participants may gather down wood only; no falling of snags or trees will be permitted.

This operation is weather dependant. If snow closes the area to road travel, selectees that have already been drawn will be given an opportunity to gather fuelwood next spring. However, fuelwood permits must be purchased each year and do not rollover to the next year.

For additional information, please contact the project leader, Rick Napoles, by email at rnapoles@fs.fed.us or by phone at 760-876-6205.