The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge announced this week that they are offering personal use firewood collection, by permit. Permits went into effect on October 1 and will expire on March 31, 2021.
Woodcutting is being permitted along Swan Lake, Swanson River, and Funny River Roads. Woodcutting is also allowed along roads within the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area within the Swan Lake Fire burn perimeter. This includes Upper Skilak Lake, Lower Skilak Lake, Engineer Lake, and Ohmer Lake Roads.
Permits, with maps and all special conditions, can be obtained at a self-serve station outside the Refuge Headquarteres on Ski Hill Road in Soldotna.
The Refuge said in a news release that 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 also prohibited. Excess limbs and woody debris must be piled outside of campsites within campgrounds. 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 which may be used for campfires for those camping on the Refuge.
The self-serve station to complete a permit is located at 33398 Ski Hill Road in Soldotna. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.