Free firewood is now available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Intermountain area as Vail's wildfire mitigation crew begins its seasonal tree cutting work to support the Vail Valley Forest Health project.

The firewood is available in two locations: at the Vermont Road cul-de-sac as well as the south side of Vermont Court. Both areas are located on the south side of Interstate 70 in West Vail. The wood is available for non-commercial use only. Loading may take place during daylight hours.

Recipients are asked to be cautious about overloading vehicles as well as use of chain saws. The Vail Fire Department recommends calling its Forest Health hot line in advance at 477-3509 to inquire about availability and best days for pick up.

The firewood is being generated by the treatment of a 12-acre property adjacent to U.S. Forest Service land in which dead and diseased lodgepole pines are being cut to create a fuel break around Vail.

Other firewood offerings will be announced throughout the season as the tree cutting moves to other areas in and around Vail. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service will be offering firewood permits in designated areas during the summer and fall. Call 477-3509 for details.

In all, the town is helping to treat eight project areas this summer.  The work includes tree thinning, piling and slash burning on 229 acres of public land in and around Vail. Where possible, the downed trees are hauled to Kremmling to be used for wood products, including pellets for wood burning stoves as well as other building materials. In areas that are not accessible, trees that are cut may be left on the ground to help with erosion control.

Once this year's work is complete, officials say the fuel break surrounding Vail's neighborhoods will grow from the current 20 percent to 40 percent. Projections indicate it will take until the year 2012 to complete the defensible space work.