Lassen National Forest woodcutters are reminded that the Eagle Lake Ranger District Zone V remains closed to all fuelwood cutting. Until the closure is lifted, anyone found cutting wood or opening roads within Zone V may be cited and charged for damages.
The annual closure which went into effect on December 31st, 2016 will remain until forest conditions improve enough that the potential impacts of rutting and road damage are highly unlikely. Depending upon conditions, Zone V could re-open in late May or early June. When the closure is lifted the public will be notified.
Although the Eagle Lake Ranger District is closed to firewood cutting, both the Almanor and Hat Creek Districts of the Lassen National Forest remain open to woodcutting. Forest visitors are asked to be cautious and careful when out driving in the national forest, as they can expect to encounter saturated road driving conditions at higher elevation sites well into the spring season. People driving around the forest need to use good judgement.
“We have had a couple of instances where vehicles have got stuck because drivers failed to recognize the saturated and soft road conditions.” Said Small Sales Officer Rickie Crowther. “Road damage repair is extremely costly. Individuals who damage forest roads could be liable for the cost of repair and also risk being cited by law enforcement if they create resource damage.”
For specific information regarding road conditions and woodcutting, forest visitors should call the nearest ranger station to obtain the most current forest road and recreation area access conditions.
Eagle Lake Ranger District: (530) 257-4188
Almanor Ranger District: (530) 258-2141
Hat Creek Ranger District: (530) 336-5521
