Firewood program extended at Turkey Run, Shades state parks

A program that allows the public to cut certain downed trees at Turkey Run and Shades state parks for firewood has been extended through Feb. 29.

Some trees that have died naturally or have blown down during storms are available to cut and haul away for $5 per pickup truck load. The available trees are in designated roadside and public-use areas.

A firewood permit must be obtained for each load at the Turkey Run State Park office or gate house between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, including weekends. Permits are not available on observed state holidays, including Jan. 18, Martin Luther King’s observed birthday.

Permit sales were originally set to end on Jan. 31. This week, park officials decided to extend the program.

Wood may be cut and removed between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily. For more information, call (765) 597-2635.

Firewood cut at Turkey Run and Shades is for personal use only. All revenue from firewood permits will go into a property-specific fund for resource management. No downed trees will be removed from dedicated nature preserves.

The ban on transporting ash between Indiana counties is being removed because the emerald ash borer insect (EAB) is now widespread in the state. Regulatory tools and funding will be directed to other potential threats to forest resources.

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.

Turkey Run State Park (stateparks.IN.gov/2964.htm) is at 8121 East Park Rd. Marshall, 47859.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.