Seasonal firewood collection for personal and commercial use on the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and the Crooked River National Grassland starts Wednesday. The season runs through Nov. 30.

Permits are needed for firewood cutting in the national forest but do not include permission for firewood cutting on land managed by the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management.

Permits to collect firewood for personal use are free and can be obtained at local vendors including Bi-Mart and U.S. Forest Service offices. Forest Service offices in Central Oregon are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except the office for the Crescent Ranger District, which is closed on Fridays.

Vendors may charge a $2.50 processing fee per transaction. The firewood cannot be sold and is intended for personal use. The public can obtain up to eight cords of wood per year. 

Individuals interested in selling firewood must obtain a commercial permit at a Forest Service office. Commercial permit holders must carry a copy of the 2024 Firewood Synopsis while collecting firewood and will be required to tag their loads. The synopsis includes details of areas available for wood collecting and the different tree species that can be collected.