Mimbres, NM. May 3, 2021.  The Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District has one temporary additional fuelwood and waste log area available on the district.

The material is from a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) thinning and restoration project implemented through a Collaborative Forest Restoration Project to improve forest health, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce hazardous fuels in the Gatton’s Park WUI (Old GOS Ranch) area. This wood is waste product and is all ponderosa pine. All wood is in two large decks. The logs are approximately 30’ long and can be bucked up into smaller loads. The wood is located at the junction of NM Hwy 35 and FSR 4078U across the highway from Terry Canyon.  This is the entrance to the Celebration dispersed camping area.

Henry Provencio, acting Wilderness District Ranger, stated “Ensuring that fuelwood is available to the public is a priority for the Forest. Opening this area will help provide this important resource while also continuing to help the agency achieve the reduction of fuels in this area.”

This ponderosa pine is free and is available on a first-come/first-serve basis. You must be able to load this yourself.  The forest wants to remind you not to block the highway or forest roads while gathering your wood.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.