The Daniel Boone National Forest has made firewood permits available for purchase online through a new E-Permit system. Officials said this eliminates the need to travel to a local Forest Service office. Mary O’Malley is the public affairs specialist with the National Forest. She said the electronic system will continue to expand.
“Eventually, the intent is for this online portal to be a way for folks to purchase personal use permits for all kinds of special forest products,” said O’Malley
Permits are needed for various forest products including firewood and plants. It is prohibited to remove other items from the forest, like rocks and tree bark.
Permit holders can collect up to 400 cubic feet, around four truck loads, of wood, from designated areas.
“We’ve also had a lot of bad weather so far this year and that’s brought down a lot of tree limbs and smaller trees,” said O’Malley. “So, firewood permitting allows, you know, our local communities to take advantage of living so close to a national forest and allows us to kind of use their help in removing some of that potential fuel for wildfires.”
Officials remind visitors a permit is only required when taking wood home, not when used in the National Forest.
More information about the firewood program can be found at a local Forest Service office or the Daniel Boone National Forest website.