The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin the sale of fuelwood permits at the Forest Supervisor’s office at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe today.

Although weather conditions allow for the early sale of permits, areas to obtain fuelwood will be limited because not all gates and roads are open. As gates and roads open, more areas will become accessible.

The public should purchase permits and collect wood early as fire restrictions are likely to go into effect early and there may be days when no cutting is allowed.

The Forest Service North Shore office will begin selling permits in May.

Permits cost $20 per cord, with a two-cord minimum purchase and a limit of 10 cords per household. Permits have specific conditions and complete information is provided when the permit is issued. Maps to designated cutting areas are provided and must be in the permit holder’s possession along with the valid permit.

The permit is for collection of “down-dead” wood up to a 30-inch maximum diameter in designated fuelwood areas within the Lake Tahoe Basin. “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.

No off-road travel is allowed and permit holders must comply with all permit conditions.