As concerns around wildfire remain across the region, the National Forest Service has issued the following information about collection of firewood for personal use:

“Hurricane Helene left a significant amount of woody debris across much of Western North Carolina, leaving higher-than-usual levels of fuels on the ground. This creates a heightened risk of wildfire. The public can help mitigate this risk by collecting downed wood to warm their homes during the winter season. 

Firewood can be gathered from along all open roads on any re-opened portion of the Pisgah National Forest. Portions of the Pisgah still remain closed because of impacts from the storm, including areas on the Appalachian Ranger and Grandfather Ranger districts.  

Please contact the local ranger district for more information on where firewood can be gathered. 

• Appalachian Ranger District, spanning Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties: (828) 689-9694
• Grandfather Ranger District, spanning Avery, Burke, Caldwell, McDowell and Watauga counties: (828) 652-2144
• Pisgah Ranger District, spanning Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties: (828) 877-3265″

Click here for more information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/alerts/permit-free-firewood-collection-pisgah-national-forest