BLM Issuing Permits to Collect Felled Trees in Chimney Creek and Walker Pass Campgrounds
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is issuing permits to collect felled trees for firewood or other uses in the Chimney Creek and Walker Pass campgrounds in Kern County.
Permits may be obtained by visiting the office at 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield or by telephone at (661) 391-6000. People requesting a permit by phone will receive their permit, tags, map and stipulations by mail. Permits cost $5 per cord and must be carried in person while collecting wood.
The firewood available for collection was felled earlier this fall by BLM fire crews. Firefighters took down several hundred “hazard trees” in the Chimney Creek and Walker Pass campgrounds in order to reduce the risk of tress falling on people, vehicles and important infrastructure. The firewood has been stacked in piles at the side of campground roads and is ready for collection with a valid permit.
Permit holders must follow the following rules when collecting wood:
- The permit, map, and stipulations must be in the permittee’s possession while gathering and transporting wood from public land. Failure to comply with the stipulations may result in invalidation of the permit, a citation and/or wood forfeiture.
- The permit applies strictly to collection of felled trees beside roadways or in campgrounds. The permittee shall not drive off-road to retrieve firewood, nor shall they remove standing trees or live vegetation.
- The permit authorizes the gathering and removal of wood for personal use; permits may not be re-sold or distributed to a third party.
- The permit holder shall avoid impacts to cultural resources when gathering and removing wood. Damage, defacement, excavation, collection and/or removal of artifacts can result in a fine of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for up to two years (43 CFR 7).
- Wood collected between February and mid-September must first be inspected for nesting birds. If an active nest is discovered, wood collection shall be postponed until after young birds have fledged.
​​​​​​​For more information, contact the Bakersfield Field Office at (661) 391-6000.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.