The Bureau of Land Management has announced a series of holiday affordability measures that will help families save money, enjoy public lands, and support wildfire prevention efforts across Montana during the 2025–2026 winter season. 

Effective immediately through January 31, the BLM is reducing many personal-use permit fees to just $1, including Christmas tree permits and firewood permits. Local BLM offices are also opening new cutting areas in overstocked woodlands to provide families with more opportunities to gather their own firewood and Christmas trees, while also supporting forest thinning and hazardous fuel reduction. 

“Here in Montana, families rely on public lands for tradition, recreation, and essential resources,” said Sonya Germann, BLM Montana/Dakotas State Director. “These fee reductions and expanded access make it easier for people to gather firewood and Christmas trees close to home, all while helping us reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health.” 

These actions align with the Trump administration’s mission to lower costs for American families and will contribute to national savings estimated at more than $9.4 million this holiday season. 

Effective immediately, the BLM will: 

• Reduce fees for personal-use Christmas tree and firewood permits. 
• In compliance with this directive, the BLM Montana/Dakotas will continue to support public access to maximize utilization of these resources on BLM-administered lands excluding special designations such as Wilderness or Wilderness Study Areas, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Monuments, timber sales, developed recreation sites and campgrounds, etc. 
• Increase household limits to up to 10 cords of firewood and up to three Christmas trees, with flexibility to adjust limits in areas with abundant resources. 

These steps will help reduce household costs, expand access to local woodlands, and improve forest conditions by removing overstocked or hazardous fuels. The BLM will continue coordinating with community partners, tribal governments and local organizations to share information about permit availability and new cutting areas. 

Residents can find up-to-date information on permit locations, cutting area maps, and safety guidance at: https://forestproducts.blm.gov/customer/permitselect/MT.  

Permits may be purchased in person at: 

• Butte Field Office, 406-533-7600 
• Dillon Field Office, 406-683-8000 
• Lewistown Field Office, 406-538-1900 
• Malta Field Office, 406-654-5100 
• Miles City Field Office, 406-233-2800 
• Missoula Field Office, 406-329-3914 

Source: BLM

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