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Forest Service Offers Free Firewood Permits

CLOVIS — Beginning Monday, Feb. 22, the North Fork, Prather and Clovis Forest Services offices will have available free use personal firewood permits to allow the public to collect firewood in designated areas.

“The Sierra National Forest, in cooperation with state and local organizations, is working hard to address the changing forest conditions,” said the SNF in a statement released today. “One of the primary immediate actions is the felling of trees that have died off from disease and insect attack.”

Where public safety is a concern, dead trees are being felled along main travel routes to and through the Forest, and high use recreation areas. To stay within legal accountability standards, a permit must be issued and in possession of individuals removing forest products.

“We remind the public that removing any timber, tree or other forest product, is prohibited by 36CFR261.6(h) except as authorized by special use authorization timber sale contract, federal law or regulation,” says the Forest Service. “Permits will only be valid for designated areas and those areas will be provided with the permit. When permits are issued there will still be terms and conditions that apply to the free use — most notably, the wood obtained is for personal use not commercial use.”

The Sierra National Forest will resume selling wood cutting permits during the usual wood cutting season; April through November. All permits will only be valid for Forest Service lands and do not include private property.

“Once you have your permit please be safe and aware of others in the area, thank you for the role you will be playing, as part of the team to help restore the Sierra National Forest back to its resilient condition!”

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Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online