Central Oregon residents can now obtain woodcutting permits for use in several designated locations in the Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management.

Permits and woodcutting maps are available at all three locations, as well as several other stores and offices in Madras, Prineville and Paulina, according to a news release from the Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests and the Prineville BLM District. Permits issued by private vendors have a $1 service fee, but government offices do not charge a service fee.

Areas for firewood cutting in the Deschutes National Forest will not open until May 12 because of heavy snow levels and poor road conditions. Permits for the Deschutes National Forest will go on sale on that date at several locations in Bend, Crescent, La Pine, Redmond and Sisters.

Unlike in previous years, the BLM will not be opening a woodcutting area in La Pine, but there will be a new juniper woodcutting area 10 miles southwest of Prineville, the release said.

Additional woodcutting areas not listed on maps could be opened during the season, and people should contact local government offices to inquire about new locations. Officials are asking woodcutters to check road conditions before setting out to collect firewood. There is still snow in many of the areas, and vehicles can form ruts and cause erosion on muddy roads, the release said.