FOREST SERVICE PRESS RELEASE:

BISHOP, Calif., May 10, 2013 – The Inyo National Forest announces a special opportunity for personal use fuelwood collection in the Mammoth Lakes Basin on the weekend of May 17-19, 2013. The area will open for fuelwood collection at 8:00 a.m. on these three days. All firewood collection activities must be completed by 4:00 p.m. each day. This is a one-time event for these three days only, which will be supervised by U.S. Forest Service personnel.

You must have a valid 2013 personal use fuelwood permit to collect dead and down material only. Permittees will be required to park along the shoulder of Lake Mary Road during collecting activities, and will not be permitted to drive off-road for firewood retrieval. Firewood gathering will be permitted along existing roads and Forest Service Campgrounds.

No firewood cutting will be allowed at lodges, resorts, recreation cabins, the pack station, or any other developed site other than campgrounds. All other wood cutting regulations are in effect. No firewood cutting will be permitted on private land, and the public is asked to avoid trespass on nearby private property at Pokonobe Lodge.

Fuelwood permits may be purchased at local Forest Service Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers. Fuelwood permits are $15.00 per cord with a two cord minimum purchase. The Inyo National Forest will institute shut down days (for chainsaw use) based upon daily Project Activity Levels. Permit holders can call (760) 873-2555 for information on shut down days.

Fuelwood permits may be obtained at the following locations:

Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center in Lee Vining; (760) 647-3044

Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center in Mammoth Lakes; (760) 924-5500

White Mountain Ranger Station in Bishop; (760) 873-2500

InterAgency Visitor Center in Lone Pine; (760) 876-6222.

Please call ahead for current business hours.