Firewood for Sale

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As the cold air approaches, the Cibola National Forest staff remind Cibola County residents that firewood is for sale. While collecting firewood in the Cibola National Forest, remember to be courteous of the forest and be safe when harvesting wood. All information in this story comes from updated tree harvesting guidance released by the US Forest Service, and a press release from the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Superintendent’s Office. In the Mt. Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest, those looking for firewood can get their permits from the district office located at 1800 Lobo Canyon Road in Grants, N.M. Firewood permits will be available until December 15. Firewood collection permits in the Mt. Taylor Ranger District are $2 per cord of wood. A standard cord of wood is four feet wide, four feet tall, and eight feet long. There is a 10-cord minimum/maximum of $20.

There are no firewood permits available at the Fort Wingate location for the 2022-2023 season.

How Much is a Cord of Wood?

Measuring 4’x4’x8’, half a cord of wood will fit in the bed of a long pickup truck. To haul a whole cord of wood, a long-bed pickup truck will need side extended side rails with wood loaded to the top of the cab. All wood removed from the forest must be under eight feet in length. Harvesters are responsible for identifying the wood load with the appropriate load tags. These tags must be securely attached to the back of each half cord of wood, and any load less than half a cord before it is transported. Each household is allowed to purchase up to 20 cords of dead and down wood per year. Failure to validate and secure the load tag to the load, or hauling wood without a permit or with expired load tags can result in a $5,000 fine or up to six months in jail.

Dos and Don’ts

With a permit, harvesters can collect dead wood and standing trees on the national forest lands with a valid permit, in the designated areas. Please contact the Mt. Taylor Ranger District for more information about designated areas, they are located at 1800 Lobo Canyon Road in Grants, N.M. and can be reached at 505-287-8833. Harvesters are not allowed to cut any tree with a “Wildlife Tree” sign on it. They are not allowed to cut trees within timber sale or contract area, which are marked with signs. Harvesters may not cut any trees within 100 feet of a lake or stream, or within established recreation areas like campgrounds.

When cutting a standing tree, harvesters are required to leave no more than a 12-inch stump.

Be a Forest Steward

Protecting the forest is key to preserving Cibola’s public lands and keeping them accessible to the future.

While drought issues are largely subsiding in Cibola County thanks to recent rains, the county is still plagued by drought. If cutting wood with a chainsaw, make sure there is a spark arrester with a .023” or smaller screen to prevent the hot carbon sparks from sparking nearby grass or weeds.

Always check with the local ranger offices about Cibola’s fire danger before cutting any wood.

Deadwood is easiest to collect, but sometimes this deadwood is vital to the continued success of the Cibola National Forest. There are some dead trees called “Snags” by the forest service. These dead and downed sometimes contain critters, birds, and nests for animals like bats, squirrels, birds, other mammals. These creatures play a vital part in each cycle of the dead tree’s decomposition cycle, and these trees sometimes act as shelters for the creatures nesting inside. Look for a “W” either posted as a sign or written in paint on dead trees, this will signify that it is a “Wildlife Tree” and should not be taken by harvesters. The Forest Service says that some dead trees do not have a “W” on them, but are still considered “Snags,” they urge harvesters to look for signs of animal activities. For example: Cavities, nests, feathers, and animal droppings. The forest service says that even if a nest or cavity looks empty, it can be used as shelter for another creature at a later time.

Some roads may be closed in the forest. This is done to protect the wildlife, brush and trees, and to guard against water erosion from recent rainfall. Harvesters who come across the closed roads are reminded to stay clear of blocked areas as that is done for the forest’s safety, and the safety of visitors.

Visitors to the forest are reminded to avoid driving on muddy roads. Ruts formed from tires create a channel where runoff water can erode the driveways.

The forest services asks that visitors do not block, damage, or litter on the roads, shoulders or ditches with trash or tree limbs. It’s easy to do, and can have a lasting, negative impact on the environment.

Call the Mt. Taylor Ranger District for more information about firewood collections at 505287-8833.