A RISE IN FIREWOOD POACHING IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS IS CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. A SPOKESPERSON WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION ESTIMATES THAT 1-THOUSAND CORDS OF WOOD ARE POACHED ANNUALLY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WOOD POACHERS, BESIDES STEALING WOOD FROM PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LANDS, DON’T FOLLOW ANY OF THE RULES DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THE LICENSED FIREWOOD PROVIDERS DO. THIS LEADS TO SEVERE EROSION TO FIRE AND OTHER ACCESS ROADS. OFFICIALS ARE URGING WOOD BUYERS TO AVOID PEOPLE SELLING FROM THE ROADSIDE, AND TO ASK TO SEE THEIR FIREWOOD PERMIT.
