Juvenile Justice Helping Low-Income Families

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Story Published: Aug 7, 2008 at 6:39 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 12:19 AM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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BANNOCK COUNTY - Juvenile offenders in Bannock County are putting in some community service hours, and helping low-income families at the same time.

The Community Firewood Project is now in its 5th year, but in just the last few weeks kids with Bannock County Juvenile Justice have split enough wood to heat dozens of homes this winter. Jennifer Mort, one of the workers said, "It's really hard work actually."

For about 8 hours a day, twice a week, these 14 kids will be in the Caribou National Forest collecting firewood. Jackie Howe, juvenile probation officer explained the process, "The Forest Service cuts the wood for us and we load it up in the truck, haul it to the fairgrounds and [the kids] split the wood."

The Forest Service has been cutting the wood near the Mink Creek Nordic Center to get it ready for a prescribed burn next spring.

Having the kids haul the firewood off the mountain saves the Forest Service hundreds of man-hours. Gary Bishop, fire management officer with the Forest Service said, "Instead of us just burning firewood-grade logs in place, and just having it effectively wasted those folks can come in collect that wood and put it to good use."

After today the kids will have logged about 700-service hours moving and splitting the wood. The worst part is there's no more shade since all the trees have been cut down. "It doesn't matter what you wear after a few hours everybody starts stinking," said Mort.

But once they have a chance to cool down, they remember how many families the firewood will help keep warm. Larry Owsley, one of the workers said, "Helping the community, helping all the elderly people that need wood for this winter."

The kids have also helped move firewood for the Bureau of Land Management in the Johnny Creek area of Pocatello.

Starting on August 16th you can buy some of the firewood for youslef. You just need to get a permit from the Forest Service office. The permit costs $25.00 for about three truckloads of wood.

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