The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin the sale of fuelwood permits on June 1. Sales of permits will continue through Oct. 29. Cutting areas will remain open through Oct. 31.

Permits cost $20 per cord, with a two-cord minimum purchase. There is a 10-cord maximum limit per household.

The permit will have specific conditions to follow and full information will be provided when the permit is issued. Maps to designated cutting areas will be provided and must be in possession along with the valid permit. Permits will be available for collection of “down-dead” wood up to a 30-inch maximum diameter in designated fuelwood areas within the Lake Tahoe Basin.

USFS firewood permits in the basin available June 1. Photo/Kathryn Reed

“Down-dead” means the tree is down on the ground and dead, rather than dead and standing. Cutting any standing tree, whether dead or green, is not allowed.

Permit holders must keep vehicles on National Forest System roads. No off-road travel is allowed and permit holders must comply with all permit conditions.

Permit holders are asked to stay off private property and demonstrate courtesy regarding noise or collection activity on National Forest System lands near homes or neighborhoods.

Permits will be available at the LTBMU Supervisor’s Office at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe, Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm.

For more information, call (530) 543.2694.