The Forest Service announced Wednesday that personal firewood cutting will be free to the general public from April 1 through June 1 on the Flathead National Forest. No permit will be required during this time.

Woodcutters can take up to 12 cords of firewood for personal use. A cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long.

Personal use firewood cutting allows you to remove downed timber or to cut standing dead trees. It’s important to check with the local ranger district to see if there are any specific local restrictions or requirements other than those listed below (For example, it is illegal to cut firewood locally in the Coram Experimental Forest).

In addition, there are a few general restrictions:

- Do not fell green (live) trees for firewood. Do not cut cedar or Pacific yew.

- Do not cut standing dead trees or down logs with signs, tags or paint marks on them.

- Firewood gathering is prohibited in all developed recreation areas, campgrounds and wild and scenic river corridors.

- Firewood gathering is prohibited within timber sale units or other areas signed or shown on the firewood gathering area map (if provided) as being closed to firewood gathering.

- Trees or logs must not be felled or skidded across live streams, lakes, or reservoirs. If a tree is accidentally felled into a waterway, leave the entire tree. Firewood gathering is prohibited within 150 feet of any running stream, pond, lake, marshy, or wet area.

- In addition, the following activities are prohibited: using over-the-terrain vehicles for skidding, yarding or skidding systems in excess of 100 feet, log trucks for hauling, or vehicles driven off roadways to gather firewood. Six feet is the maximum length piece that may be removed under the firewood program.

The following are fire regulations for vehicles and chainsaws (during proclaimed fire season):

Chainsaw operators must have a serviceable fire extinguisher (liquid chemical 8 oz. or dry chemical 1 lb.) and shovel available at all times.

Chainsaws must be equipped with an approved spark arrester screen.

All vehicles must be equipped with a baffled muffler and serviceable tailpipe.

Firewood obtained is intended for personal use only. Inquire by phone or email with your local district offices regarding commercial firewood permits.

Also, please or lop and scatter slash away from roads, power lines, telephone lines, ditches and stream courses.