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Firewood Use in the Interior

• Firewood Drying Research
• How to Use a Moisture Meter 
• Green-up Forecaster
• Firewood Harvesting Permit Information

 

Drying Firewood in Interior Alaska: when to harvest wood for most efficient drying times

������Ƶ researchers designed a study to determine strategies for reducing firewood drying time. They found that drying time is determined primarily by the environmental conditions following the wood harvest. Firewood harvested before snowmelt and after green-up is exposed to hot and dry weather early in its drying process, drastically reducing drying time. Most moisture within the wood is driven off in these first few months, and the wood is sufficiently dry and ready to burn by the upcoming winter.

Read the Cooperative Extension Service publication of the results here.

 

How to Use a Moisture Meter:

The instructional video above explains how to use a moisture meter to accurately determine when your firewood is sufficiently dry and ready to be burned. 

 

Green-up Forecaster:

The term “green-up” in Fairbanks, Alaska refers to the exact day in the spring that trees on the Chena Ridge hillside turn green, as observed from the ������Ƶ Troth Yeddah' campus. This tradition, started in 1974, has been an important indicator of spring: the day when vibrant green buds burst into leaves after a long winter. Green-up is influenced by seasonal environmental factors and a changing climate. The observation of green-up has provided an important record over the past five decades. 

The above graph depicts the date of green-up in Fairbanks, Alaska since observations began in 1974. The dotted line represents the median green-up date: May 8th.  

Researchers at UAF found that harvesting firewood 2-3 weeks after green-up in Interior Alaska will result in the most efficient drying times. Following this recommendation, people can reduce drying times by 6 months or more. However, the date of green-up from year to year is rarely the same. The earliest recorded date of green-up was April 26, 2016  while the latest was May 26, 2013, encompassing a 30-day range. 

UAF produces resources each spring which can help inform the best time to harvest wood given the variability of yearly green-up dates. Meteorologist Rick Thoman of the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness uses historical and current environmental data to make publicly available green-up date forecasts and announcements each year.  

Sap flow initiation in birch trees precedes green-up, and is also announced within these forecasts.  Water content is highest in trees when sap is flowing. It is best to avoid harvesting during this period, as the UAF wood drying study did not assess wood harvest during sap flow and it may increase drying time.

Above is a time-lapse of the daily green-up and sap flow forecasts and announcements made available to the public from spring of 2025. 

Forecasts typically begin in late March, and can be found here once they are available. 

 

Firewood Harvesting Permit Information: 

You can use the Bureau of Land Management map below to help determine which organization to apply for a personal firewood harvesting permit. 

No permit is needed on land owned privately by an individual or by someone who has granted permission to harvest firewood on their land. Native Corporations and Tribal governments have firewood-cutting regulations that apply only to shareholders and Tribal members. No other individuals can harvest wood on these lands.  

Consulting for sustainable and safe firewood harvesting can help ensure there is abundant wood to harvest for winters to come.

For the most up-to-date and accurate information, call the office of the organization.