How to Get Firewood Out of the Forest

Start looking for firewood well before sundown. Plan ahead to make sure that you have enough time to scour the nearby forest area for firewood and make it back to your campsite or vehicle before the sun sets. Gather your firewood in the morning if possible. If you are going near sundown or after dark, make sure to take along the flashlight and a cell phone to keep from getting lost.

Look for firewood where you are more likely to find dry or fallen wood. Clearings in the forest receive more sunlight, so check for dry wood there. Older trees often have dead branches and fallen limbs around them. Keep an eye out for dead trees. Use the hatchet to break off branches, and make sure you wear the gloves to protect yourself from splinters. Be careful not to lose your bearings as you gather kindling. Check frequently to make sure you still know how to get back to your campsite or vehicle.

Make fire safety a priority. Check to make sure that the campground allows fires. Keep your fire in a controlled pit or ring and have a jug of water on hand, just in case. Always extinguish a fire before going to sleep in the forest.

If you plan to taking firewood out of the forest to your home, beware of a few risks. Check the legality of gathering wood from forests in your state. Some states prohibit this. Remember that bugs and pests often live in dead wood and branches in the forest -- you could end up bringing home more than the wood. Keep up to date on local advisories about forest pests and never bring the wood inside your home.