WILLIAMS, Ariz. — The 2016 firewood cutting season is underway in the Kaibab National Forest.
Anyone harvesting any fuel wood on the Kaibab National Forest must have a permit, except for the rather small amounts used in a campfire and gathered at the campfire site.
The 2016 firewood cutting season is open until Dec. 31 for the Williams and Tusayan districts and until Nov. 30 for the North Kaibab district.
The minimum cost for a personal use fuel wood permit is $20, which is good for four cords of wood. Free-use permits are available for specific areas on the forest. Individuals seeking free-use permits should check with the appropriate ranger district office for availability, locations and other information.
The Kaibab National Forest also has a collection policy for providing free forest products to Native Americans for traditional and cultural uses.
All permits issued will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest.
The removal of fuelwood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the district for which the permit is issued. Fuelwood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.
Fuelwood cutters should be aware that chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless steel spark arrestor screen.
The Kaibab National Forest will issue free-use, paid personal-use and ceremonial fuelwood permits for the Tusayan Ranger District at the Huskie Arena during the Cameron Community Celebration on Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. MST.
Fuel wood permits are also regularly available at the following Kaibab National Forest locations:
- Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday | Telephone 928-635-5600
- Tusayan Ranger District, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Grand Canyon | 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday| Telephone 928-638-2443
- North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia | 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday | Telephone 928-643-7395
Detailed firewood cutting information and maps for each ranger district is available on the Kaibab National Forest website.
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