Posted by: John_Hamilton on 03/27/2013 11:13 AM
Updated by: John_Hamilton on 03/27/2013 11:17 AM
Expires: 01/01/2018 12:00 AM
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Personal Use Fuelwood Season Begins April 1st
SONORA, Calif., (March 27, 2013)...The Forest Service today announced that starting Monday, April 1, Personal Use Fuelwood Permits will be available for purchase at Stanislaus National Forest offices. Fuelwood season officially begins Monday, April 1, and will continue until November 30. To avoid a processing fee, the Forest is charging $25.00 for a two-and-a-half-cord permit. This amount is equal to the $10.00 per cord charged in past years. The maximum purchase of 10 cords per household still exists. Permit terms and federal regulations are strictly enforced....
Although the Personal Use Fuelwood season begins April 1, some Forest roads aren’t scheduled to be opened until April 15 or later, as weather and road conditions dictate. A number of Forest roads may remain temporarily closed until drier conditions render them passable without causing damage to resources. Early season woodcutters are reminded to contact their local Ranger Station to find out about wood cutting regulations, current road conditions, and which roads are open and dry enough for vehicle travel. The Forest will not run out of permits or wood tags, other than a per-person limit there is no maximum quota.
To provide for safety, protect vital access routes, and care for the land, Forest managers are asking visitors to use common sense when driving Forest roads. Visitors are asked to adjust their driving to current weather and Forest road conditions. Driving on soft, muddy, rain-soaked un-surfaced Forest roads can easily cause deep wheel ruts, possibly resulting in road damage and soil erosion.
Early season fuelwood cutters should plan to stay on the drier Forest roads. As the season continues, un-surfaced roads will gradually dry out, and become less vulnerable to damage. Driving on the drier roads helps to reduce maintenance costs and protects Forest resources. Visitors should always use defensive driving techniques on all Forest roads, staying alert for the unexpected, including other vehicles, livestock, as well as rocks, slides, and washouts.
Fuelwood cutters are required to review and follow the terms specified on their permit, and to present their valid permit to Forest officers checking for compliance. Each chainsaw must be equipped with an approved, serviceable spark arrestor. A shovel and approved, serviceable fire extinguisher must be readily available at the cutting site. Also, when hauling firewood, the number of the load tags applied to the load must be clearly visible from the rear of the load.
The operation of chainsaws and power equipment is permitted only on “permissive woodcutting days,” and is prohibited on “negative woodcutting days” during periods of high fire danger. Before cutting firewood, fuelwood cutters must first call (209) 532-5601 for a pre-recorded message, or check at any open Ranger Station to find out if that day is a “permissive cut day.”
Motor vehicle travel and parking is limited to one vehicle length (vehicle and trailer) from National Forest Transportation System routes. Only dead and down material may be taken, and all firewood must be cut less than 6 feet in length prior to hauling.
Woodcutters may obtain Personal-Use Fuelwood permits at all Stanislaus National Forest offices. Call individual offices for business hours:
• Groveland Ranger Station - Highway 120, east of Groveland (209) 962-7825.
• Summit Ranger Station - Highway 108, in Pinecrest (209) 965-3434.
• Calaveras Ranger Station - Highway 4 in Hathaway Pines (209) 795-1381.
• Mi-Wok Ranger Station - Highway 108 in Mi-Wuk Village (209) 586-3234.
• Sonora Forest Supervisor's Office - Sonora at 19777 Greenley Rd. (209) 532-3671.
The public may obtain Personal Use Fuelwood Permits through the mail. A permit application can be mailed to anyone who contacts a Forest office at the above listed telephone numbers. Additionally, woodcutting Information and a permit application is retrievable on the Forest website at http://fs.usda.gov/stanislaus
With the arrival of warmer weather, Forest front desk customer service staffs are gearing up for another busy spring, summer, and fall recreation season. As always, Forest visitors will be able to pick up their campfire permits and wilderness permits, purchase maps and books, enjoy interpretive programs, and get information at Forest offices on all the best places to camp, hike, fish, swim, and backpack.
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