QUINCY, CA (MPG) - The Plumas National Forest wants to remind area residents that personal use firewood is available for free with a permit and tags.

Up to 10 cords per household are available per calendar year for free with a permit, a $50 value.

Firewood cutters must have a valid personal use firewood permit, tags and a copy of the firewood map and regulations in their possession to cut and gather firewood. Tags must be properly affixed to firewood during transport of firewood to a personal residence.

Permits, tags, maps and woodcutting regulations are available at Plumas National Forest Ranger District Offices during business hours. It is recommended to call in advance to verify the office is open and has tags available. Offices may be closed for lunchbreaks, illness or staffing shortages.

Beckwourth Ranger Station

23 Mohawk Hwy, Blairsden

530-836-2575

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Feather River Ranger District

875 Mitchell Ave., Oroville

530-534-6500

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Mount Hough Ranger District

39696 State Hwy 70, Quincy

530-283-0555

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

One cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long.

All regulations on the permit and map for personal use firewood must be followed. Firewood may not be cut from active timber sales or Congressionally-designated Wilderness or special areas. It is illegal to cut green trees. Firewood collection is generally prohibited in recreation sites, unless authorized by a local Ranger District.

Ranger Districts will sometimes have areas where they would like the public’s help to clear out wood as personal use firewood.

Currently the Mount Hough Ranger District has personal use firewood available at Whitehorse Campground in the Bucks Lake area. These are hazard trees felled recently by firefighters. The campground gate is open and the wood is available until it is gone or snow begins to restrict access, whichever occurs first.

Beckwourth Ranger District would like to encourage woodcutters to help clear firewood near roads northwest of Lake Davis before Walker Mine.

There is a fee for commercial firewood permits. For more information on commercial firewood permits, please contact the local Ranger District office.

Woodcutters are advised to take precautions for personal safety and to avoid road and resource damage.

Plan your trip – check the weather, bring plenty of warm clothes, water, emergency food, first aid kit, a shovel and rope or tie downs if needed to safely secure the load. Make sure to have a full tank of gas when you leave and are prepared for changing conditions. Let someone know where you are going, the route you are taking and when you plan to be back.

Keep vehicles on designated roads and be aware of changing weather and road conditions. Wet dirt roads can quickly turn to mud, making it possible to get stuck and causing damage to road, soil and water resources.  If there are puddles in the road, mud flipping off the tires or you can see your ruts in the rearview mirror, turn around.

Avoid traveling in the forest during storms or windy conditions. Falling and downed trees, as well as landslides, can block roads with little to no warning.

For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, follow the forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.