Interest in firewood skyrockets as energy prices soar in the Interior
Published Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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FAIRBANKS — The state of Alaska isn’t the only government dealing with a skyrocketing interest in cutting firewood on public land.
The number of permits issued so far this summer for selective timbering on Fairbanks North Star Borough property has grown close to 100 — far higher than this time last year, when there were about five permits issued, according to the borough’s Department of Land Management.
And the Army Corps of Engineers said it has received a number of calls from people looking for some of the tons of wood recovered during flooding early this month.
State of Alaska officials said last week that they also are seeing far more interest from people looking to cut wood for winter heating.
The interest in wood, as a substitute for or complement to fuel oil or natural gas in many homes, follows a spike this year in the prices of oil and gas.
The borough charges $5 per cord of wood and allows people to cut up to 20 cords.
Karrie Shaw, a land officer with the borough, said her department has received reports of wood poaching in the Two Rivers area.
She said the borough is willing to work with residents on where in the borough they can harvest wood.
Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project manager John Schaake said the Corps of Engineers will give people a crack at free firewood beginning in three weeks at the project’s dam near North Pole.
“Fifteen people will be allowed over there until it’s gone, each day,” he said.
The agency will allow each family one standard pickup-truck bed full of wood to make sure the supply gets around, he said.
The Corps will do its best to make sure the downed trees are prepared, but people will need bring their own chainsaws, he said.
The Corps will begin taking appointments by phone starting in mid-September. Those interested can call 488-2748 on or after Sept. 17.
http://forestry.alaska.gov/wood/firewood.htm
http://forestry.alaska.gov/wood/index.htm
Community Discussion
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With a 100% increase in demand the State and borough have done nothing to increase the supply. We have million of square miles of forests, yet we are making criminals out of those who want to keep their family warm this winter. Several years ago the town was threatened by forest fires because there were no adequate fire breaks. Let's be proactive and allow use of our resources rather then let the trillions of BTU's be consumed by fires.
There is plenty of wood available. The problem is the people who are cutting where they are not supposed to cut. These folks are going to ruin it for those of us that comply with the rules.
LAZY people who don't want to part with five measly dollars a cord to keep their family warm, how much will it cost when you get caught?
Do the honorable (and SMART) thing and pay the legitimate fee to keep warm this winter.
Being in my 60's with no truck I find it hard to cut firewood. I guess if all I can find is greenwood for sale then I will burn it. I do not know why the Borough, or state, cannot offer firewood for sale to those who cannot actually cut it and make a nice profit. They are always saying we need money, well, here's your chance!
Alaskan59, I'm sure there will be plenty of "wood rats" selling firewood within a month or two once they have their own family's supplies cut, split and stacked.
It's not the Borough or State's responsibility to go into the firewood business. There are plenty of resourceful folks out there who recognize that a truck, a saw and high fuel bills equal the opportunity to make a few bucks for their families. Keep an eye on the classifieds and the public bulletin boards at the post office or your favorite grocery store and I'm sure you'll find an entrepreneur who will be happy to do business with you.
Check out craig's list online for firewood, there's a bunch of it for sale there by different people.
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