🍂 Portage’s Fuel Wood Harvest Program: Free Firewood and Healthy Forests 🌲

The City of Portage has officially opened applications for the 2025 Fuel Wood Harvest Program — and if you love a cozy campfire or rely on firewood for winter heat, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.


Beginning November 1, 2025, Portage residents can collect firewood from designated city-managed areas as part of a sustainable effort to care for our urban forests. The program runs through March 31, 2026, giving residents several months to gather and season their firewood for next year.


This initiative isn’t just about free firewood — it’s about responsible forest management and community stewardship. The city’s forestry team, in partnership with American Arbor, has carefully reviewed harvest sites to ensure they align with ongoing tornado recovery work and promote healthy regrowth. By removing fallen trees (including debris from the May 2024 tornado), Portage is creating space for native species to regenerate while preventing the spread of diseases like oak wilt.


🌳 Why This Matters

  • Supports sustainability: Selective harvesting keeps forests healthy and resilient.

  • Clears storm damage: Helps restore balance after last year’s tornado.

  • Protects against disease: Fall harvesting minimizes tree stress and disease transmission.

  • Empowers residents: Provides an affordable, local source of fuel wood for home use.


📍 Who Can Apply

The program is open only to Portage residents. You’ll need to apply for a Fuel Wood Harvest Permit, which grants access to specific harvest zones. Each area has been marked and mapped by forestry professionals — and yes, there’s a map available online showing exactly where you can collect.


👉 Apply now or learn more: portagemi.gov/968


If you have questions, you can also contact the Department of Public Works at (269) 329-4444.


🔥 Pro Tips

  • Bring your own saw and safety gear — this is self-harvesting, not pre-cut firewood.

  • Only collect within designated areas to protect young growth.

  • Respect all posted signs and closures.

  • Work during daylight hours for safety and compliance.


This program is a great example of what makes Portage special — a community that values both its people and its natural spaces. Whether you’re stocking up for winter, prepping for fall campfires, or simply supporting sustainable forest management, this initiative is a win for everyone.


If you call Portage home, now’s the perfect time to grab your permit and get outside — your next warm fire might just start with a good deed for the forest. 🔥🌲


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