Residents looking to cut firewood on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest can now purchase permits online, the Forest Service has announced. The move is intended to make the permitting process more accessible for people who can't make it to a ranger district office during business hours.

Firewood cutting on national forest land requires a permit, which designates specific areas where personal-use cutting is allowed. The Helena-Lewis and Clark encompasses more than a million acres across Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater, Cascade, Meagher, and Teton counties — a broad spread of forest that many Helena-area residents tap for their winter wood supply each fall.

Permit prices and cutting area designations are set by the Forest Service and vary by district. Residents are encouraged to review current cutting restrictions before heading out, particularly given fire conditions that can change cutting area availability throughout the summer season. The online permit option is available through the Recreation.gov platform.

For questions about specific cutting areas or permit conditions, the Helena Ranger District office can be reached directly. The Forest Service recommends purchasing permits before arriving at cutting sites, as on-site rangers may not always be available.