Wet weather is prompting Lassen National Forest officials to suspend fuelwood cutting on the Eagle Lake Ranger District, which corresponds to Zone V on the Fuelwood Cutting Map.
District Ranger Ann Carlson recently announced the temporary suspension of fuelwood cutting in Zone V will go into effect Wednesday, December 31st.
The provision for this measure is contained in Section D.1 of the Fuelwood Cutting Requirements. The closure area can be seen on the fuelwood cutting map, which accompanies the fuelwood permit. During the temporary closure, these permits will not be valid in Zone V.
The closure helps to prevent resource damage and ruts from being created in roads and meadows where woodcutters drive to get to firewood. This policy was implemented during the 1995 season, and it continues to be successful in protecting National Forest roads and lands, as well as the property of adjacent landowners.
Although the Eagle Lake Ranger District is closed to firewood cutting until warmer, drier weather, both the Almanor and Hat Creek Districts of the Lassen National Forest will remain open to woodcutting. Depending upon the weather, Zone V is expected to re-open sometime in late May or early June.
There will be some changes to the fuelwood program in the coming year. Opportunities for green fuelwood are planned for both commercial and personal use sometime in 2015. Other details regarding the changes will soon be shared with the public.
Acknowledging misuse of the fuelwood cutting program the Forest Service reminds woodcutters that ‘personal use’ means just that. Those who do not observe the requirements of the fuelwood cutting permit risk losing their privileges on the Lassen National Forest.
You may contact the Eagle Lake Ranger District at (530) 257-4188 for further information.
