Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to allow permitted firewood collection

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is allowing personal use firewood collection by permit as of Wednesday, Nov. 19. Permits allow collection of up to five cords — which the park service defines as four feet high by four feet wide, and eight feet long — of firewood for personal use per household.

Cutting is limited to trees already dead and down within designated areas, and no mechanized equipment is allowed. Permits with cutting area maps are available at the self-serve station outside the Refuge Headquarters front door at 33398 Ski Hill Road in Soldotna. All vehicles, including ATVs, are prohibited beyond the shoulders of main roads, and permits must be displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard at all times.

Woodcutting will be permitted in the following areas: along Swan Lake Road from the junction of Swanson River Road to Paddle Lake Trailhead; Swanson River Road from Dolly Varden Campground north to Swanson River Landing; Funny River Road from milepost 4 to milepost 9.5; Dolly Varden Campground; Upper and Lower Skilak Road, including Engineer Lake Road and portions of Upper and Lower Skilak Campgrounds; Ohmer Campground; Jims’ Landing; and Ski Hill Road. No cutting is allowed along the refuge’s service entrance roads.

Excess limbs and debris must be piled outside and away from roadsides, ditches, riparian areas and campsites, and all waste materials must be removed daily. Dead and downed wood may be used for campfires while camping on the refuge, but no standing trees are allowed to be cut.

Permits will expire and all areas will close to cutting on March 31, 2026, but inclement weather or a lack of sufficient wood for cutting may cause an earlier closure.

For more information, contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters by calling 907-262-7021, or visit the Refuge Headquarters during its office hours, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.