The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit will begin selling firewood permits at the South Shore office on May 19 and at the North Shore office on May 21.

Permits cost $20 per cord, with a two-cord minimum 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.

The last day to purchase a permit is Nov. 14. The last day to cut wood is Nov. 16.