Did you know Alaskans can harvest firewood for personal use on State land from local, established firewood areas? It is easy to apply and pay for a permit online, as well as in any Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) office. To access permits simply go to https://dnr.alaska.gov/FPS, pick your region, and find a nearby harvest area on the map by clicking on the red location pins.
All travel on forest roads is at your own risk. Be prepared for logging traffic, difficult roads, and challenging conditions that may require self-extraction. Forestry staff have developed a state Forestry Roads status map: https://arcg.is/11naK9. This map will be updated with our best knowledge of current conditions that can help you navigate to the desired wood-cutting area.
Firewood permits are $10 per cord, good for one calendar year from the date of purchase and are for personal use only (none of the material is to be sold or bartered). Firewood permit holders may not harvest any wood that is part of pre-stacked log decks. Remember to always use personal protection equipment and a spotter when falling trees!
Please see below for specific DOF Area advisories and information:
MAT-SU AREA
Appointments strongly encouraged for in-person assistance.
Focus in the Mat-Su Valley is on harvesting beetle-killed spruce trees, however, some sites allow birch harvesting. Beetle-killed spruce trees are usually dry and burn great, helping to minimize impacts to local air quality. DOF does not plow the roads to firewood areas during the winter. Landowners interested in harvesting from state lands not listed in the Firewood Permit System should contact the Area Forester for more information.
KENAI-KODIAK AREA
Call 907-260-4200 before purchasing a permit for the undesignated areas.
Due to the large amount of beetle kill timber in the northern Kenai Peninsula, the DOF Kenai-Kodiak Area is issuing permits for specific areas to target removal of fuels and to avoid over harvest of a single unit. Please call 907-260-4200 before purchasing a permit. Personnel will assist you in finding firewood on State land or put you in touch with the Kenai Peninsula Borough or US Fish and Wildlife Service for wood that is more easily accessible to you.
VALDEZ-COPPER RIVER AREA
Call the Resource Forester at 907-822-8676 for assistance.
Access to firewood in the Valdez/Copper River Area can be challenging due to limited roads in the area. For designated woodlots with road access, driving conditions can be difficult during winter months as these roads are not plowed. Any cutting outside designated woodlots must be discussed with the Area Resource Forester prior to purchasing a permit. Additionally, anyone identifying potential firewood sources on state land is highly encouraged to contact DOF to explore the possibility of harvesting in that area, as this is currently the most effective way to obtain firewood.
The Lowe River area can only be accessed by crossing the Lowe River, which requires a river crossing permit. This permit is a free General Permit established between the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection and the Department of Fish and Game. It must be obtained from http://habitat.adfg.alaska.gov/. Lowe River is a designated winter-use-only woodcutting area.
SOUTHWEST AREA
Permits are for dead standing or down timber. No live trees can be harvested. Anything cut by the permittee greater than 5 inches in diameter must be removed by the permittee and stumps should be no more than 12 inches high. Do not harvest trees within 100 feet of any waterbodies, streams, or wetlands and do not harvest trees within 100 feet of private property. Permit holders are responsible for ensuring that they cut and operate only in areas noted on the State lands noted on the permitting map. Landowners interested in harvesting from state lands not listed in the Firewood Permit System should contact the Area Forester for more information.
FAIRBANKS AREA
Fairbanks’ vicinity hosts some of the Interior’s most productive mixed forests and a long history of timber harvest. Hundreds of miles of logging roads provide access within the Tanana Valley State Forest, but accessibility varies by season and in step with logging activity. Forest roads are generally built and maintained by logging operators to access timber sales. Fairbanks Area manages several firewood areas for personal users. Maintenance and snow clearing for established firewood areas take place as resources are available. There are popular personal use firewood areas near Two Rivers east of Fairbanks and along Parks Highway-Nenana Ridge area, among others. Salvage opportunities from fire or flood are also occasionally available.
DELTA AREA
Delta Junction has an active logging industry and a high demand for personal use firewood, especially fire-salvaged spruce for home heating. However, many of the timber access routes to State Forest-classified ground are winter-only or otherwise limited access (e.g., Pogo Mine Road). Forestry works with loggers and land managers to facilitate access where practical and cost-effective. There are popular personal use firewood areas west of the Delta River, along the hills east of the Richardson Highway north of Delta, and along Cummings Road north of the Alcan Highway, among others.
TOK AREA
Safety first and always use personal protection equipment and a spotter when falling. Cut and operate only in areas noted on the permit map. Do not cut beyond the personal use area or within the No Cut areas. Stumps should be no more than 12 inches high, and all cut timber should be removed by the permittee. Be considerate to other people using the logging roads, observe posted signs, and please no littering.
HAINES STATE FOREST
To request a firewood permit for State Land in Northern Southeast south of the Haines State Forest contact Greg Staunton at 907-225-3070. Much of Southeast Alaska is managed by the US Forest Service. For more information on harvesting firewood from National Forest lands, please contact your nearest USFS Ranger District office. The Gravina Island firewood permit area is closed. The Coffman U7, U8, and U17 firewood permit areas are currently open until notified otherwise. The U11 firewood permit area has been closed. The Vallenar Bay Road firewood permit is closed. Please be aware that due to timber sale and road maintenance activity, the permit is closed.
For more information on the firewood on State lands go to https://forestry.alaska.gov/wood/firewood. For information specific to permits in the area you live in, you can contact your local forestry office:
Fairbanks/Delta Area: Information Center (907) 451-2705
Southeast Area: Greg Staunton (907) 225-3070
Mat-Su Area: Stephen Nickel (907) 761-6301
Kenai-Kodiak Area: Diane Campbell (907) 260-4210
Tok & Copper River Areas: Kato Howard (907) 883-1400
Categories: AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 