1/25 to 3/15/2016 Firewood permits available at Tippecanoe River State Park

The public is invited to cut certain downed, dead trees for firewood from picnic areas, roadsides, and campgrounds at Tippecanoe River State Park.

In January, February and March, hazardous trees and those damaged by the emerald ash borer (EAB) insect will be dropped and placed where the general public may come in, cut up, and haul it away as firewood at a cost of $10 per pick-up truck load. All revenue from these sales will be used to enhance the natural resource areas of the park.

A firewood permit must be obtained for each load at the park office between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, EST. Wood may be cut and removed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, EST. Permit sales and cutting both begin Jan. 25 and end March 15. For further information, call the park at (574) 946-3213.

Firewood cut at Tippecanoe River State Park is for personal use only. No downed trees will be removed from dedicated nature preserves.

The ban on transporting ash between Indiana counties is being removed because the EAB insect is now widespread in the state. Regulatory tools and funding will be directed to other potential threats to forest resources.

Rules for bringing firewood to DNR properties remain in place and are detailed at firewood.dnr.IN.gov. The DNR does not recommend long-distance movement of firewood of any species due to the potential for moving other insect pests and tree diseases beyond locally impacted areas. “Long-distance movement” is moving beyond the immediate county or surrounding counties.

Any ash firewood obtained at the property should be burned before spring (mid-April to early May at the latest) to help limit EAB movement within your home area. EAB larvae are generally dormant in the winter—living under the bark—and emerge in late spring as adult beetles. So, if the firewood is all gone, no EAB adults could emerge from the wood if the larvae are present. If you cannot use all the wood before spring (mid-April to early May), keep it completely covered while storing it.

Tippecanoe River State Park (stateparks.IN.gov/2965.htm) is at 4200 North US 35 Winamac, 46996.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

Contact Information:

Name: Vernon Gillum
Phone: (574) 946-3213
Email: VGillum@dnr.IN.gov