Hamilton, MT, June 15 — 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, visit our website, call, or stop by any Forest Service office.
The 2021 firewood cutting areas are:
*The Thunder Mtn road 5685 will not open until July 1 due to road construction
The forest will open these designated areas in an effort to provide more accessible firewood beginning today, Tuesday, June 15th. The areas are scheduled to remain open until Friday, October 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. Firewood gathering is prohibited in all developed recreation areas, campgrounds, and within 150 feet of streams, creeks, and waterways. 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 obtain a firewood permit by visiting or calling any Bitterroot National Forest office, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The permits are free and allow for up to 12 cords of firewood for your personal use. Your hard-copy permit is good through December 31, 2021.
Firewood maps are available at Forest Service offices or can be downloaded at: www.fs.usda.gov/main/bitterroot/passes-permits/forestproducts
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 our National Forest System lands!
For more information contact your local Bitterroot National Forest office or visit www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot or www.facebook.com/DiscoverBitterrootNF.
Stevensville Ranger District, (406) 777-5461
Darby/Sula Ranger District, (406) 821-3913
West Fork Ranger District, (406) 821-3269
Supervisor’s Office – Hamilton, (406) 363-7100
