Bitterroot National Forest

1801 N. 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-7100

NEWS RELEASE
__________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tod McKay
Public Affairs Officer
(406) 363-7122
(406) 531-1130 - CELL
tgmckay@fs.fed.us
April 13, 2011

FIREWOOD AVAILABLE AT ROMBO CAMPGROUND AND LAKE COMO

Hamilton, MT. – Last fall, the Bitterroot National Forest opened several new areas for the public to gather
firewood and the effort was so successful that the Forest is doing it again. Beginning this Friday April 15th,
Rombo Campground on the West Fork Ranger District will again be open for firewood gathering. Woodcutters
need a personal use firewood permit and a special permit sticker to take firewood from this area.

Only wood on the ground may be collected. Trees were felled last year in and around the campground which
has been hit hard by the mountain pine beetle. Trees will require bucking into firewood length pieces. The
special permit sticker is free and can be picked up at the West Fork District Office weekdays from 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Rombo Campground will be open for firewood gathering until May 13th.

The Darby Ranger District is also planning on re-opening an area for the public to gather firewood near Lake
Como that was part of a thinning operation last fall to prevent bark beetle infestations that are invading forests
across the west.

This is a rare opportunity to again take advantage of firewood close to town and easily accessible by road. The
benefits will help reduce fuel loads from the thinning activity and also provide the public an opportunity to
easily gather firewood. The only caution is some of the wood is still green and with time will cure and make
great firewood.

In order to take firewood from this area the public must have a special permit sticker and follow these rules:
 Come to the Darby Ranger District (office hours are Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm) to pick-up a
designated Como Sticker (the sticker is free and must be on your current firewood permit
otherwise you may be cited);
 You must have or purchase a valid firewood permit
 No falling of standing trees
 Only cut logs that are currently on the ground
 No driving off road
 No cutting in campgrounds (Rock Creek Horse Camp; Upper & Lower Campgrounds) or
trailheads
  Cut only in designated areas that will be clearly marked/signed on the ground
 Keep trails, parking areas and roads free of debris
 Do not tear apart hand-piles

The Lake Como firewood tags will be good from April 23rd to June 18th. The district will re-evaluate the
program in the fall to see if enough material was collected and the condition of the sites before deciding if the
program will continue.

For more information please contact the West Fork Ranger District at (406) 821-3269 or the Darby Ranger
District at (406) 821-3913.

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