County, Holy Cross, state forest service complete Bellyache project, offer free firewood

Eagle County, in partnership with the Bellyache Ridge Homeowners Association, Holy Cross Energy and the Colorado State Forest Service, recently completed approximately 30 acres of forest enhancement work on Bellyache Ridge. The project reduced the build-up of dead wood associated with the current pine beetle outbreak to protect homes and critical infrastructure in the area.

A large amount of free firewood will be available to the public beginning Friday (8/27), no permit is required. Available wood is staged at the side of Bellyache Ridge Road in the county right-of-way and is for personal consumption only; the firewood is not to be resold. Also, citizens are asked not to obstruct traffic while loading the wood or trespass on private property to cut more. Contact Eagle County Wildfire Mitigation Manager Eric Lovgren at 970-328-8742 for directions to the firewood staging area.