Tucson, AZ, November 1, 2016 – Fuel wood permits for portions of Mt. Lemmon, located on the Santa Catalina Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest, will be available for sale Nov. 1 to Dec. 16, 2016 at the Ranger District Office, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road in Tucson. Permits are available for personal (non-commercial) use only.
Permits will be issued in two-cord increments at a cost of $20.00 per permit, with a limit of one permit per household. Each permit will authorize collection on Mt. Lemmon and in the Oracle area of dry, dead-and-down and dead standing wood (no live branches) less than eight inches in diameter at breast height. Cutting area maps and program regulations will be provided with permits upon request. Permit holders may collect and remove only dry wood from the collection areas.
The cutting season begins Nov. 1, 2016 and ends April 16, 2017. Access to fuelwood areas on Mt. Lemmon will be limited by winter conditions. Mt. Bigelow Road will close Dec. 15 or when the first snowfall limits travel, and will reopen when conditions permit. The road typically reopens by March 1, but is dependent on snow levels. Spencer Canyon Campground and Whitetail Campground will be open for fuel wood collection on specific days during November and December as identified in the permit. The campgrounds will be closed to wood collection for the fuel wood season with the onset of winter conditions.
Permit purchases may be made by credit card, cash, check or money order (made payable to “USDA Forest Service”). Those purchasing permits must provide one form of identification and the description and license plate number(s) of the vehicle(s) and trailer(s) used to collect the wood. A maximum of two vehicles will be authorized per permit. All sales are final.
Permits may be obtained at the Ranger District Office between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays. Persons wishing to purchase a permit should call (520) 749-7700 to schedule an appointment.