BLM Opens New Location for Firewood Collection in Lake County

LAKEVIEW, Ore.— Trees cut to reduce wildfire risk on public lands will soon find a second life as firewood for local residents. The Bureau of Land Management has opened a new firewood collection area following the Fremont Fuels Management project, giving the public an opportunity to put previously cut hazardous fuels to use while supporting the project’s broader wildfire-prevention goals.

The project focused on reducing hazardous fuels in the Wildland-Urban Interface, where forests and communities meet. Crews cut and piled juniper trees and other conifers to reduce the amount of fuel available to a wildfire and help protect nearby communities.

“Firewood collection is one way people can benefit directly from fuels reduction work on their public lands,” said Jami Ludwig, Lakeview Field Office manager. “These trees were cut in the interest of public safety, and we’re grateful they can continue serving the public as firewood.”

Permits are for the collection of previously cut hazardous fuels generated during the Fremont project. In future years, crews will return to burn remaining material on-site as part of the project’s fuels-reduction objectives. Making it available for firewood collection allows the material to be put to use before the planned burn. Once prescribed burning occurs, the area will close to firewood gathering.

A Second Life for Fuels-Reduction Material

The Fremont project illustrates how fuels reduction can serve multiple purposes. Removing hazardous fuels helps create defensible space before wildfire arrives, while making suitable material available for firewood gives the public a chance to make use of trees that were removed as part of that work. The approach also reflects the broader goal of fuels management: reducing hazardous vegetation while finding practical ways to put public-land resources to work.

Picture Rock Pass Firewood Permits Discontinued

At the same time, the BLM is discontinuing firewood permit sales for the nearby Picture Rock Pass area. Existing permits for Picture Rock Pass will remain valid through Dec. 31, 2026. The project area is scheduled for a prescribed burn this winter. In preparation for the burn, the area will close to firewood collection.

How to Purchase a Firewood Permit Online

• Go to Online Forest Product Permits.
• Click on Oregon, select the Lakeview Field Office, then choose Fuelwood.
• Complete and submit the application.
• Enter your credit/debit card information. Once processed, print your permit.

You will receive an email containing maps, stipulations, load tags, and documentation required for safe firewood collection on BLM lands. All sales are final; no refunds will be issued.

Firewood Permit Terms for the Fremont Fuels Reduction Project

Firewood permits for the Fremont Fuels Reduction project area are designated solely for personal use. The permit fee is $1 per cord, subject to change, with a minimum purchase requirement of four cords and a maximum limit of ten cords per residence per calendar year.

Collection is only authorized within designated 75-foot and 300-foot road buffers, depending on road type, within the Fremont Fuels Reduction units and only on Bureau of Land Management administered property. These areas are shown on the maps provided with the permit. All material available for removal have already been cut by project crews; cutting live trees or snags is strictly prohibited.

Some designated firewood collection areas are situated adjacent to privately owned lands. This permit does not authorize entry onto private property for any purpose, including access to or collection of firewood. Permit holders are responsible for ensuring they do not trespass and must remain strictly within areas administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

Woodcutters must review and follow all stipulations included with the permit, including vehicle use restrictions, fire season industrial precautions levels (IFPL and Personal Use Restrictions), pile handling requirements, winter range closures, and mandatory documentation retention. It is the woodcutter’s responsibility to comply with all current fire restrictions and regulations.

General Reminders

Always carry your permit and map while collecting firewood. Remain on existing roads, use caution to prevent wildfires, and ensure all activity occurs on authorized BLM lands. A commercial firewood permit is required for individuals wishing to collect wood for resale or exceed personal-use limits.

For more information or to purchase a permit in person, please contact the Lakeview Field Office at 541-947-6100.