CALL 719-725-4707 BEFORE BUYING A WOOD YARD PERMIT -This is due to the constant fluctuation in available wood at the wood yard.
AS OF 04/24/23 - THE WOOD YARD LOG SPLITTER IS IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE. THIS NOTICE WILL BE REMOVED WHEN IT IS RETURNED TO THE WOOD YARD.
***NOTICE: NEW PROCEDURES FOR WOOD YARD ACCESS USING KEY CHECK-OUT. SEE DETAILS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
Firewood collection is available on Fort Carson, but is to be collected for personal use only. Firewood collected on Fort Carson cannot be collected for a commercial enterprise or resold.
Procedure on How to Obtain a Firewood Collection Permit
Options and prices are below. Regardless of which option you choose to collect firewood, a Fort Carson Wood Collection permit is required. The firewood collection program is completely run on iSportsman now (permits must be purchased using a credit or debit card through iSportsman and CANNOT be bought with a check or money order at the office anymore). Furthermore, downrange wood collection requires annual completion of the online Range Safety Brief and check-in to get a Downrange Pass, which is all done on iSportsman. Wood collection at Turkey Creek Recreation Area does NOT require a downrange pass, but collection on the rest of Fort Carson does require a downrange pass. Also, the log splitter permit requires annual completion of the log splitter video. DOWNRANGE WOOD COLLECTION PERMITS AND LOG SPLITTER PERMITS WILL NOT SHOW UP UNTIL YOU COMPLETE THE REQUIRED TRAINING.
Steps to Operate iSportsman for Wood Collection Permits and TA 20 Access:
- You must complete a one-time Registration on iSportsman, which means you will set up your personal account. If you have not done this yet go to “Account Register & Log In Site" at the top of the page and select "Register" from the drop down. After you create your account, henceforth, you will select “Login” from the dropdown to access your account. Please see the home page for further information about registering and accounts on iSportsman.
- You must access your account to buy permits, to watch the log splitter training video, get a downrange pass, to change or update your personal information, and to see your history and other relevant information.
- For downrange activities including firewood collection, the required annual downrange safety brief and UXO safety brief are available through your iSportsman account under "My Safety Briefs." For more details, go to the "Access" drop down menu on the iSportsman homepage and select "Range Safety Briefing."
- To buy a “Wood Yard” permit, after logging into your account, go to “Acquire Permits” at the top and select “Wood Yard permit”.
- To buy a "Log Splitter" permit, you must first take the log splitter training video annually by going to “My Safety Briefs” in the blue bar at the top of the screen. Select the hyperlink that says "Ft. Carson Wood Cutting Brief", read the instructions and complete the log splitter training video. The Log Splitter Permit will NOT be visible until you complete your annual log splitter training.
- After completion, you will be directed to the permits page to purchase your permit (permits can be bought at that time or later).
- To collect wood downrange and get a “Down Range Firewood” permit:
- You must first take the range safety brief (each year) by going to “My Safety Briefs” in the blue bar at the top of the screen. Select the hyperlink, read the instructions, and complete the range safety brief. Downrange wood collection permits will NOT be visible until you complete your annual Range Safety Brief.
- After completion, you will be directed to the permits page to purchase your permit (permits can be bought at that time or later). Please see the home page for further information about the range safety brief.
- To access the wood collection site downrange in TA 20 on WEEKENDS ONLY you must obtain a Downrange Pass, which can only be obtained after completion of the safety brief and purchase of a downrange wood permit inside your account.
- Click on blue “Checkin / Checkout” tab and complete each prompt to get your downrange pass.
- Customers must check out via a cell phone or computer through their iSportsman account. If you have trouble checking out call 719-725-4682.
- For access to TA 20 on WEEK DAYS, go to range control (Bldg 9550) or call (719) 526-6330 to see if access to TA 20 is available. If it is, you will go to range control and get your downrange pass and CHECK IN AND OUT at their office.
- To access Turkey Creek Recreational Area for wood collection you do not need a downrange pass - simply access the area via State Highway 115 with your permit and valid identification.
General Information and Safety
- The prescribing directives are: Army Regulation (AR) 200-1, AR 405-90, and AR 420-74 (DA PAM 420-7).
- Customers must abide by all applicable federal, state, county, and Fort Carson regulations. Violations can result in ticketing and fines.
- Individuals not following the requirements specified herein will be required to forfeit all forest products authorized by this permit, and will not receive any additional permits.
- As with all activities on Fort Carson, military activities have priority over activities authorized on these permits.
- Firewood collection is NOT available on Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site.
- Proceeds from your wood collection permit purchases are used for forest habitat improvement projects.
Safety
- The customer will provide all necessary labor, equipment and vehicle support for wood collection.
- All customers operating under these permits will remove all personal equipment, trash, debris, etc. from Fort Carson and will not block roadways.
- It is highly recommended that customers use safety equipment at all times (e.g., helmet, eye and ear protection, chaps, gloves, steel toe boots, etc.)
- All chainsaws used on Fort Carson must have a spark arrester.
- Special circumstances, such as military training, fire ban levels, wet conditions, and firewood availability can result in temporary changes to the guidelines provided on this webpage, including closure of wood yard and downrange wood collection.
Contact Information
- Installation Forester: 719-725-4707
- Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Forestry Office: Building 1219 at the corner of Wetzel Ave. and Evans St., 3rd Floor, Room 343
- iSportsman Assistance: 719-526-8006
- Range Control: 719-526-5698
- Military Police: 719-526-2333
Fort Carson offers the following two wood collection options:
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Collection through the installation wood yard
-
Collection downrange
Wood Yard
The main installation wood yard program contains wood generated from routine maintenance or removal of trees within the cantonment area of the post, which is processed into 16 inch long sections of log and delivered to the wood yard. The log sections must be split. The selection of wood will vary, so it is best to call the Installation Forester for the types and amounts of wood currently available.
Location and Contact Information
- The Wood Yard is located near the Installation Recycle Center, Building 155. The Recycle Center is located west of the Railhead Area that is approximately 0.25 miles to the west from the corner of Wickersham Blvd. and Specker Ave.
- The gate into the wood yard (same gate into the recycling center yard) is usually open Monday-Friday from about 7:30am-3:00pm. If the gate is locked during these hours call the Forester at 719.725.4707 to gain access, if the forester is available. To guarantee entry to the Wood Yard, call the Forester beforehand to schedule an appointment to open the gate or to sign out the key. You must have a valid Wood Yard Permit to have the gate opened or get the key.
- For questions or assistance call 719-725-4707
BE AWARE that DPW Bldg. 1219 is locked after 4:00 pm Monday-Friday. If the key is not returned before DPW Bldg. doors are locked, return the key as soon as possible the next business day.
- Late key returns may result in account holds and restrictions for future wood collection access. Failing to return the key will result in restriction from future wood collection. Access restrictions will be determined by the DPW Forester.
Log Splitter
- The Wood Yard has a log splitter available for customers, on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- In order to get a log splitter permit, the customer must complete the log splitter training video annually, before use. After completion of the video, you will be able to buy log splitter permits for the year, which expires 31 March, each year. This video will need to be completed once annually, between April 1 and March 31.
- When the log splitter is down this will be posted on the iSportsman home page. Call the Installation Forester for more information.
Wood Yard Permit Prices
- Wood is sold by the ½ cord, with a maximum of two ½ cords per permit.
- ½ cord of wood or less - $32.00
- Log Splitter (rental per ½ cord or less) - $8.00
- Wood yard permits are valid for (14) days from the date of purchase to allow the customer time to collect the total quantity of wood on the permit.
Downrange Collection
The downrange firewood program is a cut-your-own wood program at designated locations within training and recreation areas downrange. The cutting areas are identified based on forest thinning projects, fire mitigation projects, and wood salvage projects in wildfire areas. Wood species usually available for collection include cottonwood, scrub oak, pinyon pine, and juniper. With the exception of the Turkey Creek Recreation Area, access to other areas is controlled by Range Control and require a downrange pass. Information on acquiring a permit, taking the range safety brief, and getting a downrange pass is shown at the top of this page.
Downrange Collection Rules and Guidelines
- Downrange wood collection is for dead and down trees only, unless specifically identified through the iSportsman permit process, and only in specified areas marked for downrange wood collection by forestry personnel.
- Cutting at locations other than specified on the permit is strictly prohibited.
- Wood can only be collected downrange between dawn and dusk (daylight hours), unless specified here and/or on the downrange pass.
- The permit and a copy of the map MUST remain in the vehicle at all times while cutting/hauling firewood, and both must be available for inspection at all times.
- Only empty vehicles are permitted into the cutting area. All wood found in vehicle is assumed to be taken under the current permit.
- Protect standing and downed snags marked with signs as wildlife habitat. Taking trees (dead or alive) marked as wildlife habitat is strictly prohibited.
- Areas and trees marked as “excluded for collection” with tape or paint are off limits and cannot be cut or collected, unless specified otherwise.
- The removal of artifacts is strictly prohibited.
- Stumps must be cut to within four inches of the ground on the uphill side.
- Slash will be scattered so as to not exceed 12 inches in height, and shall not be left in the roadways or trails.
- Only a maximum of one cord per permit can be collected per day.
Downrange Safety
- HIGHLY RECOMMEND the use of safety equipment at all times (helmet, eye and ear protection, chaps, gloves, steel toe boots, etc.).
- Inspect the tree for hazards prior to cutting.
- Felling of trees is not allowed within 200 feet of other wood collection customers or activities.
Downrange Collection Prices
- Downrange firewood collection permits are valid for a time period specified below to allow the customer time to collect the total quantity of wood on the permit.
- Wood is sold in the following quantities:
- ½ cord of wood or less - $10.00
- ½ Cord Permit is valid for 14 days from date of purchase
- One cord of wood or less (you have to purchase another cord, after your current permit expires, if you want two cords total) - $15.00 a cord
- One cord permits are valid for 21 days (per cord) from the date of purchase
- Three cords of wood or less - $40.00
- Three Cord Permit is valid for 30 days from the date of purchase
More Information
Click here to read: What is a Cord?
Downrange Wood Collection Area Maps
