The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is offering personal use firewood collection by permit beginning on October 15, 2021. Woodcutting will be permitted along Swan Lake, Swanson River, Funny River and Ski Hill Roads.
Woodcutting also will be allowed along roads within Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area within the Swan Lake Fire burn perimeter. These roads include Skilak Lake, Upper Skilak Lake, Lower Skilak Lake, Engineer Lake and Lower Ohmer Lake Roads, according to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
A limited amount of decked trees will be located at two different locations: Mile 14 on the North side of the Skilak Lake Road and the South side of Ski Hill Road at the entrance of the Refuge service road. Once this supply is gone no more decked trees are expected to be placed at these locations this year.
Permits with designated cutting area maps and all special conditions can be obtained beginning October 15th, 2021, at a self-serve station outside the Refuge Headquarters at 33398 Ski Hill Road in Soldotna. Permits are free.
Cutting is limited to trees which are dead and down within the designated permit areas. Standing trees may not be felled. Vehicles are prohibited beyond the shoulders of the main roads. ATVs are prohibited. If a downed tree is cut within a campground, excess limbs and woody debris must be piled outside of campsites. Permits allow collection of up to five cords of firewood for personal, non-commercial use per household. All other wood cutting on the Refuge is prohibited, except dead and down wood may be used for campfires while camping on the Refuge.
The permit will expire, and these areas will close to firewood cutting on March 31, 2022. Weather conditions or depletion of wood for cutting may prompt the Refuge Manager to close areas earlier. For additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge office during regular Business hours at (907) 262-7021.
See below for the associated cutting area maps:
