Forest News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2003	 
Free Use Down Wood Available at Thumb Butte

PRESCOTT Ariz.—The Bradshaw Ranger District of the Prescott National 
Forest will offer free permits for down wood in the Thumb Butte area. A 
contractor has been working in the area for several weeks removing 
ponderosa pine trees killed by the bark beetle. A large amount of limbs 
still remain on the site after the contractor removed the trees.

Individuals wanting wood from the free use area must first come by the 
Prescott National Forest office located at 344 S Cortez St, Prescott. 
The free use permit for wood in the Thumb Butte area is only available 
at the Cortez office. The permit comes with a map showing the cutting 
area.

“The contractor has done a great job in removing all the bark beetle 
killed trees at Thumb Butte. There is a lot of good fuelwood out there 
left over from their operations. This free use program will allow us to 
get rid of the by-product of the cutting operation, and clean up this 
valuable recreation site. It will also reduce the slash piles that will 
dry and pose a fire risk,” said Bradshaw District Ranger Ernie Del Rio.

Since this area is within a day-use area it will be open to the public 
daily from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. through February 28. All permits will 
expire on March 1 or earlier depending on when peregrine falcon 
activity is observed. A restriction on the use of chain saws may be 
imposed instead of terminating the program early when falcons first 
arrive. Permit holders will be notified if the area is closed prior to 
March 1.

The parking fee for the day-use area will be waived for those who are 
there to take part in the free use wood available. If a person is not 
at Thumb Butte to cut wood and load wood they must pay the parking fee.