Santa Fe, N.M. - The Bureau of Land Management is selling fuelwood permits for personal use to the public. Fuelwood permits cost $10 - $12 per cord and are available in person at select locations or online.
Due to a recent court ruling, the US Forest Service is unable to sell fuelwood permits, so demand for fuel wood from BLM land has increased. In almost all field offices, BLM fuelwood permits are valid for cutting only dead (down or standing) piñon and juniper (cedar). Cutting green trees or other trees not allowed by permit is strictly prohibited. Minimum and maximum cords for purchase vary by field office. Rules, regulations, and timing vary slightly between field offices; please read all materials that accompany your permit.
Below is a list of where BLM fuelwood permits are available for purchase, in person. Permits for the Rio Puerco Field Office and Taos Field Office are available online at https://forestproducts.blm.gov/. Online sales require payment with a credit or debit card. If you are purchasing a permit online, you must have access to a printer as you will be required to print your permit, maps, instructions and haul tags.
Maps of open wood-cutting areas, along with all rules concerning fuelwood collection, will be available at the time of purchase. For maps on fuelwood areas, please visit: https://www.blm.gov/maps/frequently-requested/new-mexico
Bureau of Land Management Rio Puerco Field Office
100 Sun Ave NE Suite 330 Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 761-8700 Cost: $10/cord - dead & down
Bureau of Land Management Socorro Field Office
901 S Old US Hwy 85 Socorro, NM 87801
(575) 835-0223 Cost: $10/cord - dead & down or green
Bureau of Land Management Farmington Field Office
6251 College Blvd Farmington, NM 87402
(505) 564-7600 Cost: $12/cord - dead & down
Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office
226 Cruz Alta Rd Taos, NM 87571
(575) 758-8851 Cost: $12/cord - dead & down
U.S. Forest Service Cuba Ranger District 04B County Rd 11 Cuba, NM 87013
(575) 289-3264 Cost: $10/cord - dead & down
(This USFS office sells BLM firewood permits for the Rio Puerco Field Office)
Penalties for cutting or removing wood from BLM lands without a valid fuelwood permit can be more than $300. Fines for cutting green trees start at $300, with a $50 fine for each additional tree. At the discretion of a BLM Law Enforcement Officer, illegally cut fuelwood and any equipment used, such as chainsaws, trailers, and even vehicles, can be confiscated from illegal woodcutters.
For more information, please contact BLM Acting State Forester, Elyssa Duran, at 505-954-2190.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
