Free use firewood available from Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff
FLAGSTAFF — Permit holders can now collect free firewood from an area of the Coconino National Forest just outside of Flagstaff, forest officials announced Tuesday.
"There are about half a dozen cords of wood in the collection area, with more becoming available as crews continue work along the road," the Flagstaff Ranger District said in a statement. "The wood is all small diameter (less than 9 inches) and is stacked along the side of the road."
According to the U.S. Forest Service, a standard, full cord of wood is 128 cubic feet — measured as a pile 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet wide — and can weigh up to 5,000 pounds.
Collection areas are clearly marked about 1.5 miles down Little Elden Springs Road (Forest Road 556).
Free use permits are needed to collect wood and can be obtained by calling or visiting the Flagstaff Ranger Station between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. Citing limited staffing, forest officials ask that permit seekers call prior to arrival to ensure permits can be processed that day.
Free use permits allow the cutting of up to five cords of dead and down wood in specified areas, which includes slash piles from a recent timber sale contract. A maximum of five cords per household per year is allowed under free use.
You can reach the Flagstaff Ranger District at (928) 526-0866.
Reach the reporter at LLatch@gannett.com.
The Republic’s coverage of northern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. To support regional Arizona news coverage like this, make a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Free firewood available from Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff
