Forest Service News Release
Available Wednesday, May 1, 2024
PORTERVILLE, Calif, April 24, 2024
–The Sequoia National Forest will begin
offering personal use woodcutting
permits to the public starting
Wednesday, May 1, 2024. A firewood
cutting permit and load tickets are
required to cut, gather, and transport
firewood in the Forest.
Firewood is $10 per cord with a
minimum purchase of two cords per
person ($20), a maximum purchase of
10 cords per household, and will expire
Saturday, November 30, 2024. Forest
policies, area-based woodcutting instructions, and forest wood gathering maps will be provided with the
woodcutting permits. The permit is only available in-person at your local ranger station listed below and
cost of the permit is not refundable.
Hot, dry weather conditions in late summer and early fall often trigger public use restrictions that limit
the time of day you can use a chainsaw or may prohibit chainsaw use altogether. Woodcutting activities
throughout the Forest are based on current road, weather, and fire danger conditions. Daily
woodcutting restrictions are available by contacting the district office.
Due to heavy snowfall, some roads may not open until later in the year. As the snow melts roads will be
opened once they are passable. Early season travelers should also be aware that the storms caused
many trees to fall across roads, especially in recent burned areas. Forest visitors are asked to use
extreme care to avoid getting stuck or causing extensive resource damage to the land and vegetation.
Woodcutters are asked to:
• Contact the local Ranger Station for current conditions and restrictions.
• Avoid driving off roads and onto wet, unstable ground or fragile meadow environments to load firewood.
• Be prepared! Pack additional food, water, clothing, and other emergency supplies.
• Let someone know your destination and the estimated time of return.
• Adhere to posted Forest Service Road and Area Closure signs.
Woodcutting permits are available in person at the ranger stations listed below. Please call for more
information.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
Hume Lake Ranger District
35860 East Kings Canyon
Road, Dunlap, CA 93621
(559) 338-2251
Western Divide Ranger District
32588 Highway 190, Springville,
CA 93265
(559) 539-2607
Kern River Ranger District
11380 Kernville Road,
Kernville, CA 93238
(760) 376-3781
Keep your permit on the dashboard of your vehicle, where it is visible through the windshield. Fill out
the bottom portion of the permit at the cutting site before hauling each load.
Removing any timber, tree, or another forest product is prohibited by 36 CFR 261.6(h) except as
authorized by special use authorization, timber sale contract, federal law, or regulation. Cutting or
removing redwood (giant sequoia) trees or downed material is prohibited.
Forest visitors are encouraged to "Know Before You Go" by calling the Forest Supervisor's Office or
local ranger station for forest conditions, regulations, and bans.
For more information, please email SM.FS.SequoiaNF@usda.gov and follow us on the Sequoia National
Forest Facebook at SequoiaNF or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/Sequoia for current information.