Colder days and nights are just around the bend, and permits to cut firewood on public lands in southwestern Colorado are now available.
The San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office are currently selling firewood permits at agency offices and selected retail outlets. A minimum purchase of $20 allows the bearer to gather 2½ cords of firewood from federal lands for personal use before the end of the year.
One household may purchase permits for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use. Gathering firewood for resale requires a commercial permit.
Permits, which come with a brochure and map, are currently available for purchase at City Market in Cortez, both the Dolores Public Lands Office and the Dolores Food Market in Dolores along with Cox Conoco in Mancos.
Restrictions apply to the cutting of standing dead ponderosa pine and live Gambel oak, and some area restrictions are in place. Information on these requirements can be found on firewood tags and in accompanying brochures. Permit holders are expected to be familiar with these regulations.
FALL COLOR MAP
If collecting firewood doesn’t peak your interest, the Forest service also is posting information about the best scenic views and routes to witness the changing seasons.
Free and available online, the information is aimed to provide curious eyes with the best bet to see Southwest Colorado’s fall colors. Updated weekly, the website is located at www.fs..usda.gov/sanjuan.
For a more analogue approach to trip planning, the Forest Service is once again offering its National Fall Colors Hotline at 1-800-354-4595. The hotline provides audio updates on the best places, dates and routes to take for peak viewing of fall colors on national forests.
For more information on viewing areas or firewood permits, contact the San Juan Public Lands Center at (970) 247-4874.
