Some slash piles open for firewood gathering

The Hungry Horse and Glacier View District of the Flathead National Forest has opened some slash piles for personal use firewood gathering.

The slash is left over from timber harvesting in areas burned in 2003.

Slash-pile locations are:

-Wounded Buck Road 895C, off of the Westside Reservoir Road.

-Whale Creek Road 318, approximately 30 miles north of Columbia Falls, off of the North Fork Road.

-Hornet Creek Road 9805, off of the Whale Creek Road.

The slash piles will be signed and the public is encouraged to obtain a map from the forest office in Hungry Horse. There are other slash piles in the area that are unavailable for firewood gathering.

All other areas within the 2003 fire areas remain closed to firewood cutting. Active timber harvest continues, so people should use caution in these areas.

A permit is needed to remove firewood from the Flathead National Forest. Personal-use firewood permits are available at all forest offices, as well as several local commercial locations. Permits cost $5 per cord, with a two-cord minimum per permit. Individuals can purchase up to 10 cords of firewood each permit year.

For more information, call 387-3800.