DNR raises firewood limit for residents in northern Michigan after ice storm

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is selling an extra amount of wood for residents in the historic ice storm area that happened in March.

The ice storm left northern Michigan counties with up to an inch of ice causing severe damage on state forest land. As a result, the DNR has increased the wood limit for residents.

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The DNR says all wood must be collected from already dead and downed trees within 200 feet of the road. If the damaged trees aren’t removed, Michigan forestry experts fear an invasion of bark and wood-boring beetles would bring another wave of damage to state forests.

Residents in those areas that wish to purchase wood must have a fuelwood permit which is issued by the DNR. It costs $20 per household with a limit of one permit per household per year. A typical permit allows you to collect 5 standard cords of wood. A standard cord is a stack measuring 8 ft. long, 4 ft. wide and 4 ft. high. However, in these 12 counties, all permits purchased since the season opened April 1 are eligible for 10 cords of wood.

More information is available on the DNR’s website.