2020

Firewood can be Harvested in Latvia’s State Forests

After logging, in some felling sites there are felling residues that are not collected for energy wood production and can be useful as firewood for households. JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) allows residents to collect felling residues free of charge for their own consumption, if a permit for collecting wood residues has been received. It can be obtained by contacting the representative of the relevant LVM region.

A permit is required for the collection of felling residues to be carried out in the state forest areas, where it is permitted, and it should be carried out in a way that is safe for both the environment and for the wood harvesters themselves. It is important to remember that standing dead trees or dry trees and fallen tree trunks are not considered felling residues. Dead wood is important for the survival of many plant and animal species or for biodiversity.

Such a permit can be obtained once a year, because the number of places where it can be done is limited and there is great public interest. Every year, LVM issues more than 2 000 permits; the greatest proportion last year was registered in the regions of North Kurzeme, South Kurzeme and Zemgale, where on average about 400 wood residue collection permits were issued.

Firewood for heating is also offered for purchase

Firewood is the cheapest and most environmentally friendly fuel in our country. Latvia has the third highest share of renewable energy consumption in the European Union. Over the last eighty years, the area of forests in Latvia has doubled, but the amount of wood in forests has increased 3.5 times. This means that there is enough firewood in the forest to provide heat to Latvian households.

LVM not only offers to collect wood residues in felling areas, but also provides an opportunity to purchase firewood in the form of round timber for heating purposes, also ensuring delivery to the place specified by buyers.

PURCHASE FIREWOOD FOR HEATING FROM LVM

The total consumption of firewood in Latvia has increased by 11.1 percent over the past five years. It reached 62.2 petajoules in 2018. Households are the largest consumers of firewood – in 2018, their consumption accounted for 36% of the total consumption of firewood and, compared to 2017, increased by 6.1%, reaching 22.4 petajoules.

LVM calls to be responsible and not to litter in forest. The amount of waste in nature is growing significantly year by year. It is also important to remember that open flames are prohibited in forest during the fire risk period.