Sandpoint Ranger District Opens Gates To Firewood Cutters

SANDPOINT (July 29, 2009)- Sandpoint Ranger District officials will open several gated roads to personal use firewood gathering in late July 2009.

From July 31, 2009, through August 26, 2009, specific Forest Service roads on the Sandpoint Ranger District will be opened to permitted firewood cutters and other forest users. Newly opened roads will include:

Forest Roads #630B, #630B1, #630E, #630C; and #315D and #315E (in the Little Blacktail area).

Forest Roads #278A, #278B, #278C, #278D and #278E (all located off the southwest end of the Forest Road #278); and

Forest Road #278F (located off Johnson Creek Road in the Clark Fork area).

Sandpoint District Ranger Dick Kramer said there are several areas on national forest lands east of Cocalalla and along the west side of Lake Pend Oreille where dead trees are located, along roads that are typically gated, that will be temporarily accessible for personal use firewood gathering during July and August.

How to Obtain a Personal Use Firewood Permit. To cut firewood for personal use on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, you must have a Personal Use Firewood Permit. At $5 per cord, permits are issued from four cords (minimum purchase $20) up to twelve cords (maximum purchase $60). Permits are valid from the time of purchase through March 31 of the following year. As a reminder, firewood cutters are asked to clean roads and ditch lines of debris created during their firewood cutting and removal operations.

For More Information: Please call or visit the Sandpoint Ranger Station, located in the Federal Building at 1500 Highway 2, for permits, maps and more detailed information. Sandpoint Ranger Station hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone (208) 263-5111.