– Press release

The Inyo National Forest announces that the opening of personal use fuelwood season starts Friday, May 1st. Fuelwood permits will soon go on sale at local U.S. Forest Service Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers beginning Wednesday, April 29th.

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Maps showing areas open to cutting are available with a purchased fuelwood permit. Fuelwood permits are still $15.00 per cord with a two cord minimum purchase.

Initial supplies of firewood can be found at Hartley and Reversed Peak Forest Management Areas located on the fuelwood map. Other areas may be opened later this season.

To better serve visitors, the U.S. Forest Service is requesting those persons interested in purchasing fuelwood permits do so between the hours of 8:00 am-11:30 am and 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Fuelwood permits may be obtained at the following locations:

Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center (SAVC) in Lee Vining, (760) 647-3044

Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center in Mammoth Lakes, (760) 924-5500

White Mountain Ranger Station in Bishop, (760) 873-2500

Interagency Visitor Center in Lone Pine, (760) 876-6222

Mono Basin SAVC will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until May 17th. The White Mountain Visitor Center, currently under remodel, is expected to re-open by April 29th. Please call ahead to your local visitor center to confirm hours of operations.

Permit holders are advised to check in with their local U.S. Forest Service Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers for current conditions and accessibility. The Inyo National Forest will institute shut down days (for chainsaw use) based upon daily Project Activity Level. Permit holders can call (760) 873-2555 for information on activity levels.

The Fuelwood Strategy, developed with public participation in 1998, continues to be implemented this year.  Large ends of all downed logs (those portions greater than 30 inches in diameter) are required to remain on the forest floor for wildlife habitat and recycling of soil nutrients.  The majority of funds collected from permit sales are directly returned to the forest for continued implementation of this program.  Comments on this Strategy and Fuelwood program are always welcome. For further information on the fuelwood program, contact your local Ranger Station or Visitor Center.

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