REGION – Planning on spending the cold-weather season around a cozy, crackling campfire or gazing at glowing coals through the windowpane of a woodstove? Then it’s time to get to work collecting wood!
Gather dead and downed wood from designated state forest areas, primarily in the northern two-thirds of Michigan, with a $20 fuelwood permit. Permits are valid for a maximum of 90 days and all expire Dec. 31. Purchase permits online through DNR eLicense or in person at select office locations.
Plan to harvest firewood from the location closest to where you live to reduce the chance of spreading forest pests or diseases.
Fuelwood permit details:
- One permit per household each year.
- Permits are for personal use only.
- Up to five cords of wood may be gathered under the permit.
See available state forest collection locations, learn about collection rules and find related information at Michigan.gov/Fuelwood. Get tips and tricks for safe and efficient wood burning from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Burn Wise program.
For fuelwood collection in federally managed forests, find details on your local national forest website: Hiawatha National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest or Ottawa National Forest.
Questions? Contact fuelwood program coordinator Doug Heym, 517-930-4248, or timber program forester Jake Reid, 517-284-5908.
