When Winter Bites Back: Your Emergency Action Plan for Firewood Shortages

Picture this: it’s the coldest night of the year, your heating bill has already stretched your budget thin, and you reach for your firewood stack only to find it nearly empty. Your regular supplier is booked solid, and panic starts to set in. Some are reporting backorders of wood stoves and shortages of firewood, making this scenario increasingly common across the country. Don’t let a firewood shortage leave you out in the cold – here’s your complete guide to emergency firewood sources when your regular supplier runs out.

Understanding the Growing Firewood Crisis

Firewood shortages have become a pressing reality for many homeowners. As home-heating fuel prices surge, the state’s firewood sellers and wood stove installers say they’re struggling to keep up as more Vermonters turn to wood heat. The demand for wood began to increase at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a state official and business owners. But the latest challenges have been compounded by staffing problems and rising costs associated with logging and kiln-drying. The weather is largely responsible for the shortage of firewood this year, distributors said. Wood piles dwindled during the cold, brutal winter, and anxious homeowners worried about another freeze and the volatility of fossil fuel prices grabbed extra firewood for the upcoming season.

We haven’t seen the supply increasing, so that just creates supply versus demand issues — a shortage. Desrochers added that he has heard that other firewood companies are turning away new customers because of the wood shortage. This creates a domino effect where finding reliable firewood becomes increasingly difficult as winter progresses.

Emergency Firewood Sources to Consider

Local Hardware Stores and Garden Centers

When your regular supplier fails you, local hardware stores often carry bundled firewood or can connect you with alternative suppliers. Many garden centers also stock seasoned firewood, especially during peak heating season. While prices may be higher than bulk purchases, these sources can provide immediate relief during emergencies.

Online Firewood Marketplaces

Digital platforms have revolutionized how we find firewood near me. Specialized firewood delivery services can often accommodate emergency orders, sometimes with same-day or next-day delivery options. Since 2007, Firewood Supply has led the US in both firewood distribution and consumption. Our objective is simple: to offer the greatest firewood products at the most competitive prices along with outstanding customer support.

Tree Service Companies

Local tree service companies often have access to fresh wood from their removal jobs. While this wood may not be seasoned, it can serve as an emergency backup if properly dried. In order to burn well, wood must be dry and seasoned. Even if you have live trees on your property or in a nearby city park, I can guarantee that wood from those trees will be very difficult to burn, give off a lot of smoke, and not be an efficient fuel until it is seasoned. It takes several months for this to happen.

Alternative Fuel Options

When traditional firewood isn’t available, consider these alternatives:

• The fire log makes a great compliment or substitute for firewood. Unlike most firewood, State Parks allow EnviroLog Firelogs
• Organic briquettes are a great alternative to firewood for heating your home or office. Made from sawdust, wood chips, and other organic materials, these briquettes provide an eco-friendly way to keep your space warm
• Right now a pallet of Envi Blocks is going for $349 (315 blocks) and and a pallet of North Idaho is going for $559 (240 logs). Just for reference, a cord of “seasoned” hardwood, cut and split is going for $275 – $325

How LI Firewood & Mulch Addresses Supply Challenges

Located in Brookhaven, New York, United States, LI Firewood & Mulch understands the critical importance of reliable firewood supply. We are part of B & B Maintenance Services, Inc., a full landscape service company, established in 2005 with the goal of offering excellent but affordable landscape services to this region’s residents. We pride ourselves on reliability and a 90 percent customer satisfaction rate.

What sets LI Firewood & Mulch apart during supply crunches is their commitment to customer service and rapid delivery. We also offer rapid and efficient delivery services. When you choose us, we will bring quality firewood and mulch from our yard to yours! Working in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, we provide courteous service and timely delivery of all our products; delivery is often made the same day.

Their diverse product offerings help customers find solutions even during shortages. The products we offer include not just firewood (available in fully and semi-seasoned, kiln dried, bundles and pallets) and mulches (coming in black, natural brown, coco brown, and red), but compost, stone & gravel, topsoil, and sand.

Building Your Emergency Firewood Strategy

Plan Ahead

How much wood provides the right amount of safety margin? There’s no one right answer, but I’d suggest starting with a half cord. Chopped wood is measured, and purchased, by the cord, which is an official unit of measurement. Don’t wait until September or October to get your firewood. Get it in May or June.

Diversify Your Sources

Don’t rely on a single supplier. Look on Craigslist for firewood sources. Once you know the types of wood that are available and are the best woods for burning, then it’s just a matter of shopping around. Establish relationships with multiple local suppliers before you need them.

Consider Emergency Preparedness

Even if you don’t ordinarily have a need for firewood, start thinking about the fuel you will use if the lights ever go out long term. You may want to start buying small quantities of firewood and even invest in a splitting wedge or specialized wood splitting axe or maul. A supply of firewood might be a smart, life-saving idea.

Quality Considerations During Emergencies

When sourcing emergency firewood, quality matters more than ever. Don’t order wood sight unseen, since it takes many months for it to season properly. Check out pieces of the firewood you are planning to buy. The pieces should have cracks on the end and the seasoned pieces should weigh less than fresh, green wood. When you hit 2 pieces of the firewood together, you should get a hollow sound. If the sound is more dull and solid, the wood isn’t seasoned enough.

Remember that compared to gas and electricity, firewood creates more heat per unit. Researchers at Oregon State compiled data comparing cost per million BTUs: natural gas was $16, electricity was $28, propane was $36, and douglas fir wood (medium efficiency relative to other woods) cost $12, making quality firewood an economical choice even in emergency situations.

Conclusion

Firewood shortages don’t have to leave you in the cold. By understanding the current supply challenges, identifying multiple emergency sources, and planning ahead, you can ensure your home stays warm regardless of supply disruptions. Companies like LI Firewood & Mulch demonstrate that reliable, customer-focused suppliers can make all the difference during challenging times. We are happy to report that more than 90% of our business comes from satisfied clients who place additional purchases and refer us to their friends, family, and coworkers. We’re backed by a proven track record of success with over 90% of our revenue coming from satisfied customers.

The key is preparation – don’t wait until the mercury drops and your woodpile dwindles to start looking for alternatives. Build your emergency firewood network now, and you’ll never be caught off guard when winter shows its teeth.