Hamilton, Montana – The Bitterroot National Forest will temporarily open several roads this summer for the public to access personal use firewood. To learn more about each area and view maps of the locations, the public can stop by any Bitterroot National Forest office or visit our website.
The 2019 firewood cutting areas are:
- Forest Roads 740 & 739A (Silverthorne Loop) – Stevensville Ranger District (see map)
- Forest Road 728 (Andrews Creek) – Darby/Sula Ranger District (see map)
- Forest Roads 73288 and 73293 (Mink Creek Saddle) – Darby/Sula Ranger District (see map)
- Forest Roads 5757, 13355, and 73274 (Meadow Creek) – Darby/Sula Ranger District (see map)
- Forest Road 49 (Castle Creek) – West Fork Ranger District (see map)
- Forest Road 13417 (Devil Creek) – West Fork Ranger District (see map)
The forest will open these designated areas in an effort to provide more accessible firewood beginning this Saturday, June 15th. The areas are scheduled to remain open until August 15th or sooner depending on fire conditions and restrictions.
Woodcutters are reminded of the requirements to have a spark arrester on their chainsaws and to carry a shovel, bucket, and fire extinguisher at all times. Please use wide shoulders and turnouts for parking. Not all roads have turn-arounds for trailers. As with wood cutting elsewhere on the forest, no trees are to be felled onto the roadway and all slash must be piled.
Law enforcement will be monitoring the roads. Forest officials advise woodcutters to drive defensively and notify them of any downed trees or road damage.
You can purchase firewood permits at any Bitterroot National Forest office, M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per cord and there is a four cord ($20) minimum purchase. Each household is allowed a maximum 12 cords of firewood per year. Permits are good through March 31, 2020.
Remember, you can help continue the success of this program by removing firewood debris from road surfaces and ditches and by respecting other forest users and natural resources. Thank you for your responsible use of National Forest System lands!
For more information contact your local Bitterroot National Forest office or visit www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot.
