FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public Affairs Officer: Lisa Cox
[email protected]
(760) 873-2427
www.fs.usda.gov/inyo
Facebook @InyoNF

Lakes Basin special firewood collection area opens Monday, September 9

BISHOP, Calif., September 9, 2023— Inyo National Forest timber management staff have made a special firewood collection area available within the Lakes Basin starting Monday, September 9 at 6:00 a.m. until the end of fuelwood collection season, or until the supply runs out.

Normally closed for firewood collection due to the high recreational use, the Lakes Basin will only be open at this time due to the recent hazardous tree removal and fuels reduction projects by the Whitebark Institute through efforts of the Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project (ESCCRP). Cutting and stacking of wood was also assisted by staff from the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the Whitebark Institute and the Town of Mammoth Lakes for this extra fuelwood for our forest visitors and residents,” said Fred Wong, Mammoth District Ranger. “We hope wood collectors are able to gather what they need before we close Lake Mary Road for the winter.”

When collecting the wood, please take the following precautions:

• Park off-pavement to avoid blocking traffic, however within one car-length of the road and not on any multiple use recreation trails that hikers, walkers, and bicyclists are also using.
• Call (760) 873-2555 (press 2) to check daily chainsaw restrictions for fire danger. If no restrictions, cutting/transporting wood is permitted 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Only collect dead and down logs from the map areas. Do not collect from, or break apart “burn piles.” Logs are concentrated at Horseshoe gravel pit off Forest Road 3S10F.

Collectors must still obtain a firewood collection permit, purchased in-person at one of our visitor centers. Please note there have been frequent phone line and internet connectivity issues, so you may not be able to call ahead. Forest employees do not issue permits via email or mail.

For more information about the Forest’s firewood collection program and mobile-friendly maps, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/Inyo/FirewoodPermits.