Firewood collection permits available starting May 15

Special log deck collection outside of firewood collecting area also available north of Mammoth Lakes

Inyo National Forest will begin issuing personal firewood collection permits at varying dates and hours depending on the ranger district. Inyo National Forest Service staff is partnering with Sierra Forever to issue these permits later in the season to make wood tags more readily available to the public.

Visitor center wood tag availability days, hours, and locations:

• Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center:
  Available daily from May 15 to May 30, from 8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.; available June 1 until Sierra Forever staff is onboarded for collections – 1 day/week (TBD; please call to determine).
  Location: 2510 Main Street, Mammoth Lakes, CA. (760) 924-5500
• Eastern Sierra Visitor Center:
  Available every other Friday starting May 16, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Appointments may be scheduled in advance.
  Location: Highway 395 and State Route 136, Lone Pine, CA. (760) 876-6200
• White Mountain Public Lands Info Center:
  Available every other Friday starting May 23, from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4:15 p.m.
  Location: 798 N. Main Street, Bishop, CA. (760) 873-2500
• Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center: Temporarily closed due to public health/safety reasons. When permitted to open, permit sales will resume.
  Location: Highway 395 (at Mono Lake), Lee Vining, CA. (760) 647-3044

Credit card transactions preferred. If credit card transactions are not possible, exact amount for cash payment is required (that is, no change is available). When Sierra Forever staff assist Forest Service staff later in the season, Sierra Forever will only accept credit card transactions. If credit card transactions are not possible, woodcutters will need to make a special appointment with Forest Service employees to buy tags with cash.

 

All firewood collection permits must be purchased in-person at one of the above visitor centers because permits are not issued via email or mail. To ensure securing your permit is a success, please call visitor centers beforehand because wood tag availability dates and times may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Electronic versions of firewood maps will be available on our website:

www.fs.usda.gov/goto/Inyo/FirewoodPermits

 

Maps are also mobile-friendly without the need for cell service, navigable on Avenza for free:
https://store.avenza.com/products/2025-inyo-fuelwood-map-us-forest-service-r5-map?utm_source=vendor_link

 

 

Special log deck collection area outside of open firewood collection areas

Log decks created during past forest health treatments will be open for public fuelwood collection, accessible from Deadman Creek Road and the Mammoth Scenic Loop (shown in purple dots on map below).

 

Certain log decks remain closed for public fuelwood collection due to deck height and safety concerns (shown in orange dots on map below). Woodcutters can be injured or killed from rolling, unstable, tall wood decks closed for public fuelwood collection.

 

All firewood collection rules and regulations apply to these special areas. All open log decks have posted signs stating that the area is open for firewood collection. All closed log decks have posted signs stating that the area is closed for firewood collection. Please do not disassemble slash burn piles.

Firewood permits are $15.00 per cord with a two-cord minimum purchase. Once obtained, woodcutters are required to carry their permit and Firewood Map with them and follow the associated regulations.

 

Please avoid driving on muddy roads until they have had time to dry out. This will help keep roads in decent shape and protect other natural resources.

 

Log diameters of greater than 30 inches are required to remain on the forest floor for wildlife habitat and recycling of soil nutrients.

 

Shut Down Days

Inyo National Forest institutes shut down days for chainsaw use on “VERY HIGH” and “EXTREME” fire danger days. On these days you will not be allowed to use a chainsaw for either all or part of the day. For daily information, call the pre-recorded message number: (760) 873-2555

 

The majority of funds collected from permit sales are directly returned to the forest for continued implementation of this firewood program and the Firewood Strategy.