Fuelwood permits in Lake Tahoe Basin good until November 20

Ready to cut some firewood? Time is running out to do so on U.S. Forest Service land in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The last day to purchase fuelwood permit for the is on Friday, November 18 and the last day to cut wood is Sunday, November 20.

Permits cost $20 per cord, with a two-cord minimum purchase and a limit of 10 cords per household. Permits have specific conditions and complete information is provided when the permit is issued. Maps to designated cutting areas are also provided and must be in the permit holder’s possession along with the valid permit.

Forest roads and gates began closing in late October for soil protection and public safety. Keep in mind that some cutting areas may not be accessible by vehicle in areas where gates have closed. Permit holders should check whether road closures are in effect and should not go behind closed gates. No off-road travel is allowed and permit holders must comply with all permit directions. For specific forest road closure dates, consult the Motor Vehicle Use Maps by visiting http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/TravelManagement.

The permit is for collection of “down-dead” wood up to a 30-inch maximum diameter in designated fuelwood areas within the Lake Tahoe Basin. "Down-dead" means the tree is down on the ground and dead, rather than dead and standing. Cutting any standing tree, whether dead or green, is not allowed.

The Forest Supervisor's office at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the North Shore Forest Service office at 855 Alder Avenue in Incline Village is open Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call the South Shore office at 530-543-2600, or the North Shore office at 775-831-0914.