JACKSON HOLE, WYO — The Bridger-Teton National Forest will start selling firewood permits for personal use beginning May 15., Permits will be available at many of District offices and local vendors for a price of $7 per cord with a five-cord minimum purchase.
Those obtaining a permit must provide an approved form of identification at the time the permit is issued. Permits are valid for the calendar year only and load tickets must be visible at the time of harvesting.
National Forests across the nation have been providing a substantial amount of firewood for the public since the 1970s, which has continued to grow as more households in America are a adopting a more environmentally-friendly route to reduce energy and fossil fuel consumption. Selling firewood permits also aids in fire prevention by removing burnable material from the Forest floor.
A person may obtain a permit for firewood or other forest products such as transplants, post and poles, ornamentals, or wildflower seeds upon providing one of the approved forms of identification issued by the Federal or State government. Acceptable identification documents include a state driver’s license, a birth certificate, green card, passport, State ID, or Tribal Identification.
When gathering firewood, permits allow for the harvest of down or standing dead wood only and it is important to use firewood from local sources to prevent the spread of invasive species.
A standard cord is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide and 4 feet high, measuring 128 cubic feet when wood is stacked in a row. Make sure to cut firewood only where the permit allows, as other neighboring Forests might have different firewood cutting regulations and price and may be located in areas not open for cutting such as wilderness areas, campgrounds, picnic areas, resorts, recreation management areas, wilderness study areas, administrative sites, or timber sales.
Maps of legal routes to access wood cutting locations will be available where permits are sold and on the Forest website. Forest visitors are advised to check in with their local ranger stations regarding the areas roads and trails information.
The Bridger-Teton accepts cash, checks, and certain locations can also accept credit cards, as forms of payment for forest product permits. The Forest does on occasions offer free firewood which is advertised to the public as it becomes available throughout the summer. Be advised that firewood gathered under a personal use permit may not be resold for profit.
