Inyo National Forest Firewood Season Opens May 1

Firewood Season Opens May 1
Release Date: Apr 19, 2011 Bishop, CA
Contact(s): Nancy Upham

The Inyo National Forest is announcing opening of personal use fuelwood season starting Sunday May 1. Fuelwood permits will go on sale at local Forest Service Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers beginning Monday, April 25. Maps showing areas open to cutting are available with a purchased Fuelwood permit. Fuelwood permits are $14.00 per cord with a two cord minimum purchase. The maximum purchase remains 6 cords per person and 12 cords per household. The Inyo National Forest again will institute shut down days (for chainsaw use) based upon the daily Project Activity Level. Permit holders can call (760) 873-2555 for information on shut down days. For further information on the fuelwood program, contact your local Ranger Station or Visitor Center.

Current supplies of firewood can be found at Hartley, Smoke, and Rust Forest Management Areas, which can be located on the fuelwood map. Due to a heavy snow year, not all areas are snow-free at this time. Permittees are advised to check in with their local Forest Service Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers for current conditions and accessibility.

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.

Please call ahead for current business hours.

The Fuelwood Strategy, developed with public participation in 1998, will continue to be implemented this year. Large ends of all downed logs (those portions greater than 30 inches in diameter) are required to remain on the forest floor for wildlife habitat and recycling of soil nutrients. The majority of funds collected from permit sales are directly returned to the Inyo National Forest for continued implementation of this program. Copies of the Fuelwood Strategy are available at offices selling permits. Comments on this Strategy and the Fuelwood program are always welcome.