USFS Logo Large
loading...

KALISPELL, MT., June 27, 2018 –The Flathead NF will open roads in two administrative use areas for personal use firewood collection from July 13 –August 13.  This will allow temporary access for woodcutting on some roads that are normally closed to public motorized traffic.  The two areas include:

Blacktail Mountain Firewood on Swan Lake Ranger District – Gated road 2957 in Section 21 T26N R21W.  This road provides access to dead, down and standing dead trees.  This road will open at 7AM, July 13th and close on August 13th, 2018. Download map (pdf file)

Skyland Firewood on Hungry Horse Ranger District– Gated road 5209 in Section 24 T29N R13W.  This road will open at 7AM, July 13th and close on August 13th, 2018. Download map (pdf file)

A Forest Service personal-use firewood permit is available for a minimum of four cords of firewood for $20.00.  Woodcutters must have their permit with them while collecting wood and fill it out as required.  Please read and follow all terms and conditions written on your permit.  These include:

Some trees behind these gates have been marked with paint and wildlife signs.  Standing or downed trees with paint or signs are not to be cut.   These (marked) trees provide important habitat for many kinds of wildlife and it is important that they are left standing and undamaged.

Clear the road surface and ditches of tree tops and limbs when you are done cutting firewood and scatter or pile the material off of the roadway.

All vehicles must remain on the road surface.

The area will be monitored by Forest Service personnel, as in previous years.  Resource damage, such as creating “stump roads” or the loss of marked wildlife trees, could result in discontinuing the opportunity to cut firewood on year-long closed roads.  Public cooperation has been excellent in past years, and we ask firewood cutters using the area to help continue to make this opportunity a success.

To be sure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable woodcutting experience; people visiting the area are asked to spread out, keep a lookout for other people and vehicles, and as much as possible keep the road open and passable for others.  Some of the roads have limited space where they end, so it is a good idea to turn your vehicle around before filling it with wood.

Maps of the woodcutting areas, as well as firewood permits, are available at the local ranger station in the woodcutting area or Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Kalispell.

 

More From K96 FM