Firewood

Firewood is a renewable resource. Across a complete lifecycle, firewood has a low to neutral carbon intensity, as trees re-grow. This is in sheer contrast with fossil fuels –including the diesel and liquid natural gas (LNG) powering our electrical grid in the winter, which add ancient carbon to the atmosphere.

In the Yukon, firewood is primarily sourced from dead-standing beetle-kill or fire-kill. Firesmarting activities also currently provide some firewood, as well as a minor fraction of green-standing harvest. Over the years, less than 0.1% of Yukon's entire forested land base has ever been harvested. Of the fraction of this that is under a forest management plan, a small part is sustainably available for harvest every year, calculated according to forest's capacity to regenerate. Generally, only 10-12% of this allocation is harvested –well below the sustainably available volumes, and the regulatory limits. As well, targeted firesmarting activities and removal of dead-standing trees have proven extremely effective at reducing fire hazard, keeping our communities safe.

Firewood currently is by far the most cost-effective source of heat energy in the Yukon. As well, heat systems based on firewood can be safer and much more resilient than others. For instance, in colder temperatures propane tends to contract, and the electrical grid can fail. This traditional way of heating also keeps electricity available for other, perhaps more sophisticated energy needs.

Harvest of firewood is tightly controlled in the Yukon, and sustainable management requires that firewood be available to all for current and future generations.

Usage of firewood also supports the local economy, keeping Yukoner's money in the territory and avoiding capital drain.

Main types of firewood available are:

A cord of wood measures 4' x 4' x 8', or 128 cu ft. Our firewood is made of spruce with some pine, and no poplar. Firewood is available July-October: outside of coldest temperatures, and on dry terrain.