Firewood permits available at Raccoon State Recreation Area

The public is invited to cut certain downed trees for firewood inside Raccoon State Recreation Area.

In January and February, some trees that have died naturally or were affected by the emerald ash borer (EAB) will be available to cut and haul away for $10 per truck load. The available trees are in the campgrounds and along the roadway south of the beach house.

A firewood permit must be obtained for each load at the property office, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. Permits are not available on observed state holidays or on weekends.

Permit sales and cutting both begin Jan. 17 and end Feb. 28.

Wood may be cut and removed between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily, excluding weekends. For more information, call (765) 344-1412.

Firewood cut at Raccoon SRA is for personal use only. All revenue from firewood permits will go into a property-specific fund for resource management.

The ban on transporting ash between Indiana counties is being removed because the emerald ash borer insect is now widespread in the state.

Rules for bringing firewood to DNR properties remain in place. The DNR does not recommend long-distance movement of firewood of any species due to the potential for moving other insect pests and tree diseases beyond locally impacted areas. “Long-distance movement” is moving beyond the immediate county or surrounding counties.

Any ash firewood obtained at the property should be burned before spring (mid-April to early May at the latest) to help limit EAB movement within your home area. EAB larvae are generally dormant in the winter — living under the bark — and emerge in late spring as adult beetles. So, if the firewood is all gone, no EAB adults could emerge from the wood if the larvae are present. If you cannot use all the wood before spring (mid-April to early May), keep it completely covered while storing it.

Raccoon State Recreation Area (stateparks.IN.gov/2959.htm) is at 1588 S. Raccoon Parkway, Rockville, IN  47872.