Firewood cutters planning to stock up for winter in the Siuslaw National Forest can begin picking up permits on Oct. 15.
The forest offers both free personal-use permits and paid commercial permits. Either type is required to harvest or transport firewood from forest land, and cutters must carry the permit with them while doing so.
Personal-use permits are free, with each household limited to six cords per year. Commercial permits cost $120 for a minimum of six cords, plus $20 for each additional cord.
Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be transferred to another person. Applicants must show a valid government-issued ID when obtaining a permit.
Rules, restrictions and designated cutting areas vary by ranger district, so the Forest Service is advising residents to call ahead to confirm permits are available before making the trip. Permits are being issued at three coastal-area offices — the Corvallis headquarters is not among the listed locations.
Forest officials also recommend scouting cutting areas before requesting a permit. Maps and other details are expected to be posted on the Siuslaw National Forest’s firewood cutting webpage by mid-October.
Access roads to some cutting areas may be rough and require a four-wheel-drive vehicle, according to the Forest Service. To protect water quality and fish habitat, cutters are asked not to cut, pile or gather wood near streams, ponds, lakes, marshes or other wet areas.
Permits are available at the following locations:
- Central Coast Ranger Station, 1130 Forestry Lane, Waldport. Open for permits 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 541-563-8400.
- Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, 855 Highway 101, Reedsport. Open for permits 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 541-271-6000.
- Hebo Ranger Station, 31525 Highway 22, Hebo. Open for permits 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays only. Phone: 503-392-5100.
Questions about permits at the Waldport and Reedsport offices can also be directed to Mitchell LaChapelle at mitchell.lachapelle@usda.gov or 541-305-3869.