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Show Woodhaulers cutting up Saw Timber Firewood cutters are causing damage on the Dixie National Forest.according to Cedar City Distric Ranger Rollo Brunson. Piles of logs, cut and skidded by the logging contractor to be hauled to the sawmill, are being cut up for f irewook by flit Ml n i-. - - . -..-, ri DAMAGED LOGS. During a timber sale, green logs are cut, ; skidded and placed into piles called "log decks." Firewood cutters have damaged this and many other "decks" by cutting some or all of the logs into firewood and stealing the timber. irresponsible fuelwood cutters. "Both the public and the logging company lose when sawlogs are cut up for firewood. The public loses because the logs don't get paid for; and the company loses because of money it has invested cutting the trees and skidding the logs to the roadside. An average 32 foot long sawlog is worth $25.00. During the past season, hundreds of dollars worth of theft and damage has occurred from log decks," Brunson said. Ranger Brunson indicates tighter restrictions of firewood gathering may result, if this type of damage continues. Area closures, a strict permit system and other controls may be necessary to stop the damage, unless voluntary cooperation by the public is obtained, he said. The Ranger states that free personal use firewood may be obtained from the National Forest without a permit but reminds the cutters that only dead trees may be cut. Cutting green trees or sawlogs is prohibited. All persons found cutting this type of material will be prosecuted. "Firewood gathering is an enjoyable outing for most families and also a direct way of conserving money and the nation's fossil fuel energy", stated Ranger Brunson. "It would be unfortunate un-fortunate if a few irresponsible people caused this privilige to be severely limited or revoked." ' .1.' |