The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge will on Friday begin offering firewood collection for personal use by permit.
According to an Oct. 3 news release by the refuge, permits can be obtained at a self-serve station outside Refuge Headquarters on Ski Hill Road starting Friday, Oct. 13. Those permits will have designated area maps and other special conditions.
Woodcutting will be permitted along Swan Lake Road from the junction of Swanson River Road to Paddle Lake Trailhead; along Swanson River Road from Dolly Varden Campground north to Swanson River Landing; along Funny River Road from Milepost 4 to Milepost 9.5; around Dolly Varden Campground; along Upper and Lower Skilak Road including Engineer Lake Road and “portions of Upper and Lower Skilak Campgrounds; at Ohmer Campground, Jims’ Landing and Ski Hill Road.
“No wood cutting is allowed along the Refuge Service Entrance Roads,” the release reads.
Cutting is limited to trees already dead and down within the designated areas, the release says. Standing trees may not be felled. Any excess limbs or “woody debris” must be piled outside and away from the roadsides, ditches, riparian areas and campsites.
Permits will expire and areas open to firewood cutting will close on March 31, the release says. Closures may be announced sooner if necessitated by weather conditions or depletion of wood.
For more information, contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during business hours at 907-262-7021.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
