Wood available in Taos area

TAOS, NM — The Camino Real Ranger District has opened the Bull Springs unit for dead and down fuelwood harvesting within the La Jara Project Area in Taos Canyon. It is located approximately 18 miles east of Taos and 6 miles west of Angel Fire on the south side of Highway 64 and is accessible at Palo Flechado Pass. In order to keep livestock from entering the highway or fuelwood area, it is critical to keep the red gate off of Highway 64 closed at all times.

The fuelwood area is approximately 446 acres in size and primary species include Douglas-fir, spruce, aspen, and true fir. The project area had initially been opened following treatments in 2009 and 2010, however there is still a need to remove additional fuelwood to implement prescribed fire activities. Dead standing trees can be cut throughout the fuelwood area as long as they are not Ponderosa Pine and are not being utilized by cavity nesting birds. This will preserve and protect wildlife habitat.   

Please try to access wood from existing roads as much as possible. However, if roads are wet, it would be best to collect your wood another day to avoid damaging roads and to minimize ruts.

Wood permits cost $20 for 5 cords or $40 for 10 cords and expire on December 31. There is a 10-cord maximum per household per season. When transporting wood be sure to possess your signed, original permit and display your removal tags that have been properly completed and punched out. Individuals purchasing permits must possess a valid driver’s license and have the driver’s license number(s) for any individuals designated as haulers.

A permit for this fuelwood area can be purchased at any Carson National Forest office. For more information contact the Camino Real Ranger District at 575-587-2255 in Peñasco or the Carson National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 575-758-6200 in Taos.