SFNF 2017 Firewood Permits Now Available
Firewood permits for dead and down timber are now available for purchase at most Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) offices. The exception is the Española Ranger District, which expects to start selling its firewood permits May 15.
Dead and down permits are valid (one district per permit) on the entire SFNF except for designated wilderness areas.
The nonrefundable permits are for personal use only and may be purchased for $20 for five cords with a maximum of 10 cords per household per year. Customers may purchase permits by check, credit/debit card or cash through Dec. 31, 2017. Permit purchasers will receive load tags, a fuelwood cutting map and guidelines for harvesting the wood.
Thinning project areas where small-diameter trees have been removed to improve forest health and resilience to insects and disease can be excellent sources of fuelwood since thinning crews leave the downed trees on the ground for permit holders to remove. Dead and down timber in the following areas may vary depending on the number of cords previously removed by other permit holders.
Coyote Ranger District: French Mesa and Sarca
Cuba Ranger District: La Jara, Rito la Cueva, Chaparral and Moya
Jemez Ranger District: San Juan along Forest Road (FR) 10 and FR 376
Espanola Ranger District: Caja del Rio and Borrego Mesa
Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District: Viveash Fire area, La Cueva, Walker Flats and Tecolote las Dispensas
The only green fuelwood area on the SFNF is Rowe Mesa on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. Green fuelwood permits can be purchased at Forest Headquarters and the Pecos and Las Vegas District Offices.
Permit holders should be prepared for unpredictable weather and are advised to check with the local Ranger District office or the New Mexico Department of Transportation website for current road and weather conditions. Firewood permit holders should also make sure they have the appropriate equipment to harvest the wood and to safely transport it home. That includes nails or some other method to secure load tags to the wood. Forest Service staff may be in the cutting areas to check permits and answer questions.
The public may purchase firewood permits at SFNF offices from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
Customers may want to call ahead to check availability of the permits. All offices will be closed on Federal holidays.
For additional information about SFNF firewood permits, contact Forest Headquarters at 505.438.5300.