The public is invited to cut certain downed trees in designated areas at Mississinewa Lake for firewood.

Trees eligible for firewood have died as a result of natural causes, been dropped by property staff or were blown down during storms. Trees along roadsides or in public areas of the property may be available to the general public to cut up and haul away as firewood from Nov. 5, 2018 to Feb. 28, 2019.

The program will require each participant to fill out and sign permits and waivers before cutting. The cost will be $10 for one load. Multiple truckloads may be purchased at the time of purchase; however, all firewood must be removed on the date for whichthe permit has been issued. No refunds will be issued.

All proceeds from firewood permit sales are used for resource management and restoration efforts, including replacement of trees in campgrounds and other public areas.

Permits will be for one day only and may be acquired prior to or the day of cutting at the park office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Times for cutting will be limited to 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. Cutting will be prohibited on weekends.

Protective gear is required and consists of (but is not limited to) helmets, chaps, gloves, leather boots, hearing and eye protection. Firewood may be cut up to 30 feet from roadsides in designated areas; however, vehicles are not allowed off roads. The use of tractors, UTVs, and ATVs is prohibited.

Firewood moved from the property must comply with DNR firewood rules, which can be found atfirewood.dnr.IN.gov.

For more information, call 765-473-6528, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

Mississinewa Lake (on.IN.gov/mississinewalake) is at 4673 S. 625E. Peru, 46970.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

Media contact: Larry Brown, property manager, Mississinewa Lake, 765-473-6528.