Firewood permits available May 1 for Umatilla National Forest

PENDLETON—Umatilla National Forest personal-use firewood permits will be available at Forest Service offices and through several local vendors beginning Monday, May 1.

All National Forests in Oregon and Washington offer personal-use firewood free of charge; however, a permit is required to cut and haul firewood. The maximum limit for personal-use firewood on the Umatilla National Forest is 12 cords-per-household per year.

Firewood cutters interested in selling firewood should contact any ranger district offices for information on a commercial firewood sale or a Forest Product Sale Permit (also known as a commercial fuelwood permit).

Independent vendors are issuing personal-use firewood permits in increments of four-cord packets and may charge an additional processing fee of up to $2 for each. Local vendors include the General Store in Dayton, Pomeroy Foods, and Last Resort in Pomeroy. The complete list of vendors is available on the Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

“Our vendors provide a great service to our woodcutters by offering firewood permits during hours that are convenient for the public,” said Eric Watrud, Forest Supervisor.

Most vendors are open early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. There are no additional fees if permits are acquired from a Forest Service office.

Permit holders cutting firewood are required to carry an axe, a shovel, and an eight oz. capacity or larger fire extinguisher. Chainsaws must be equipped with an approved spark arrester when cutting wood.

Some areas in the Umatilla National Forest are still not accessible due to mud, snow, or snow drifts. Forest visitors are asked to use extreme care to avoid getting stuck or causing extensive and illegal resource damage to the land and vegetation. Woodcutters are requested to:

• Contact the local Ranger District office before heading out to ensure the area you’re traveling to is accessible.

• Avoid driving off roads and onto wet, unstable ground or fragile meadow environments to load firewood.

• Pack additional food, water, clothing, and other emergency supplies.

• Let someone know your destination and the estimated time of return.

Tribal members exercising their Treaty rights are reminded that permits are not required, but they should be in possession of valid enrollment identification when cutting or transporting firewood.

The public is reminded that some roads and trails are closed in areas with significant flood damage from the 2020 February and May flood events. Detailed closure maps and updates on flood repair activities are available on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure signs will also be posted on the ground.

Public Use Restrictions (PURs) may be implemented during the hot, dry summer months. Restrictions will be announced by 6 p.m. the day before going into effect. The Forest service will announce any weekend restrictions by 6 p.m. on Friday. An updated recording at 1-877-958-9663 will let you know if firewood cutting is allowed all day, restricted to specific hours, restricted to specific areas, or closed due to wildfire danger. Restrictions will also be posted on the forest’s website. The public is responsible for checking if firewood cutting is allowed during a desired window.

Firewood season on the Umatilla National Forest will end on Nov. 30, 2023.

For more information on firewood cutting, please contact the Supervisor’s Office at (541) 278-3716 or your local District Office.

North Fork John Day Ranger District: (541) 427-3231

Heppner Ranger District: (541) 676-9187

Walla Walla Ranger District: (509) 522-6290

Pomeroy Ranger District: (509) 843-1891

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.