Gainesville, Ga. — Permits for personal firewood cutting will be free to the general public effective immediately through June 1, 2020, on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Please contact your nearest District Office at the number listed below to obtain a permit.

Woodcutters can take up to four cords of firewood for personal use. A cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long.

Personal use firewood cutting allows you to remove downed timber or to cut standing dead trees under most conditions on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The local ranger district will advise applicants if there are any specific local restrictions or requirements other than those listed below.

In addition, forest officials request that woodcutters also follow these requirements:

• Do not fell green (live) trees for firewood.
• Do not cut standing dead trees or down logs with signs, tags or paint marks on them.
• Firewood gathering is prohibited in all developed recreation areas, campgrounds and wild and scenic river corridors.
• Firewood gathering is prohibited within timber sale units or other areas signed or shown on the firewood gathering area map (if provided) as being closed to firewood gathering.
• Trees or logs must NOT be felled or skidded across live streams, lakes, or reservoirs. If a tree is accidentally felled into a waterway, leave the entire tree. Firewood gathering is prohibited within 150 feet of any running stream, pond, lake, marshy, or wet area
• The following activities are prohibited: using over-the-terrain vehicles for skidding, yarding or skidding systems in excess of 100 feet, log trucks for hauling, or vehicles driven off roadways to gather firewood.
• Six feet is the maximum length piece that may be removed under the firewood program.
• The following are fire regulations for vehicles and chainsaws (during proclaimed fire season):
  • Chainsaw operators must have a serviceable fire extinguisher (liquid chemical 8 oz. or dry chemical 1 lb.) and shovel available at all times.
  • Chainsaws must be equipped with an approved spark arrester screen.
  • All vehicles must be equipped with a baffled muffler and serviceable tailpipe.
• Firewood obtained is intended for personal use only. Inquire by phone or email with your local District offices regarding commercial firewood permits.
• Pile or lop and scatter slash away from roads, power lines, telephone lines, ditches and stream courses.

Woodcutters should also use caution while driving on Forest Service roads. Many roads are wet and muddy and the soft roadbed can easily be damaged by vehicle traffic. Roads may be closed at any time.

For more information and guidelines about firewood cutting, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/passes-permits.

Please contact your local district office for more information:

Chatsworth 706-695-6736
Blairsville 706-745-6928
Lakemont 706-754-6221
Eatonton 706-485-7110
Gainesville 770-297-3000

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

About the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

To receive instant alerts and updates on forest information, follow @ChattOconeeNF on Twitter and Facebook or visit us on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.