BajaNomad

firewood.

bigzaggin - 1-21-2014 at 05:05 PM

For many years I've been bringing my own firewood to Baja - pine to relax, oak for cooking - and never once had an issue at the border or elsewhere. BUT the wood has always been deep inside the camper shell or wrapped up on the roof, not in plain sight.

This year we might be going with a friend who has no shell and were thinking of loading the wood into his bed. I believe that TECHNICALLY it's illegal to bring your own wood down, but has anyone actually ever had an issue with this?

And I am sure there is some argument to be made for buying wood locally, but we're usually in a bit of a rush on the way down plus have a line on cheap, abundant wood at home.

Skipjack Joe - 1-21-2014 at 05:14 PM

Just make sure that none of the wood is carrying pine beetles. They've wreaked havoc in the pacific northwest thanks to global warming.

Am I trolling? Actually not. The danger from such critters could be very real, though unlikely in baja. Maybe up in San Pedro de Martir?

woody with a view - 1-21-2014 at 05:17 PM

hide it up near the front under all your crap. layer it.... burn it and the beetles.

Barry A. - 1-21-2014 at 06:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Just make sure that none of the wood is carrying pine beetles. They've wreaked havoc in the pacific northwest thanks to global warming.

Am I trolling? Actually not. The danger from such critters could be very real, though unlikely in baja. Maybe up in San Pedro de Martir?


I totally agree with SkipJack-------the "beetles" are a huge problem, and getting worse all the time, at least for now. Probably of limited danger in Baja, however, especially on the beaches. Still, the law is the law. Because of the marginal existance of Pines in the San Pedro Martir and other 'high places' like the Sierra Juarez, they could be a very real problem, however.

Barry

Marc - 1-21-2014 at 06:29 PM

Is it legal, or not? It's a simple question.

Barry A. - 1-21-2014 at 08:55 PM

It depends. (a simple answer) :yes:

(translation-----I simply don't know)

Barry

mtgoat666 - 1-21-2014 at 09:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Is it legal, or not? It's a simple question.


No

But people will do stupid things to save $5. Go figure.

Barry A. - 1-21-2014 at 09:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Is it legal, or not? It's a simple question.


No

But people will do stupid things to save $5. Go figure.


I always brought my own firewood to Baja over some 45 years because I did not want to use the resources that the locals depended on!!! Much of that time nobody that I knew of was selling firewood in Baja along primitive beaches. I was never given any problems by the Mexicanos at check-points, but that was prior to about 7 years ago------my last trip to Baja. I never knew of any legalities involved in firewood importation.

Barry

Bajamatic - 1-21-2014 at 09:20 PM

In not sure it's about saving $5. I don't think most people know if it's illegal or not. If it is, then if consider buying it in Mexico - is it easy to find in baja? I'd need to find it in either San Quintin or El Rosario - any recommendations around those parts for good wood? Has to be oak, mesquite, or other hard wood for cooking.

bigzaggin - 1-21-2014 at 09:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Is it legal, or not? It's a simple question.


No

But people will do stupid things to save $5. Go figure.


Well, that's part of it. But more importantly I get to break the law AND pump zero dollars into the local economy.

Thanks for the kind answer! :lol::lol::lol:

bigzaggin - 1-21-2014 at 09:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajamatic
In not sure it's about saving $5. I don't think most people know if it's illegal or not. If it is, then if consider buying it in Mexico - is it easy to find in baja? I'd need to find it in either San Quintin or El Rosario - any recommendations around those parts for good wood? Has to be oak, mesquite, or other hard wood for cooking.


Bajamatic - check your U2U.

Bajaboy - 1-21-2014 at 09:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajamatic
In not sure it's about saving $5. I don't think most people know if it's illegal or not. If it is, then if consider buying it in Mexico - is it easy to find in baja? I'd need to find it in either San Quintin or El Rosario - any recommendations around those parts for good wood? Has to be oak, mesquite, or other hard wood for cooking.


If it's for cooking, why not buy a bag of carbón? You can find it easily in most grocery stores. I normally start a small fire and then add the carbón. Works well.

freediverbrian - 1-21-2014 at 09:55 PM

Drugs go north across the boarder. Cash, guns , and firewood go south

[Edited on 1-22-2014 by freediverbrian]

alacran - 1-21-2014 at 10:36 PM

Some people are not smart enough to deserve an answer.

bigzaggin - 1-21-2014 at 10:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by alacran
Some people are not smart enough to deserve an answer.


Ain't that the truth! I mean, who are these people?

Anywho, you know a good place in Baja to pick up some oak, maybe a bit of pine? Lookin' to build a campfire, do some cookin'.

Lemme know!

bajadogs - 1-21-2014 at 11:43 PM

Am I the only nomad who thinks the most relaxing bon fire is a duraflame log?
They never let me down or introduced invasive species or stripped the local resources. It was always worth the $20 for a case and we had enough to share.

CARBON !!

captkw - 1-22-2014 at 12:15 AM

most bags work GREAT !! I have had some that were 4th of July action...but good stuff,, over all !! I now buy in Aptos Ca. a 7.5 LB bag of mex carbon (mesquite) for 3.29 Dlls (soon to change)..the Petro dollar is OVER !!................

David K - 1-22-2014 at 12:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajadogs
Am I the only nomad who thinks the most relaxing bon fire is a duraflame log?
They never let me down or introduced invasive species or stripped the local resources. It was always worth the $20 for a case and we had enough to share.


No, that is what Baja Angel and I enjoy too... Just a mellow little flame for atmosphere and you can still see the stars and satellites overhead. Not illegal to bring down, lights with little effort, and leaves no mess behind.

Skipjack Joe - 1-22-2014 at 02:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigzaggin

Anywho, you know a good place in Baja to pick up some oak, maybe a bit of pine? Lookin' to build a campfire, do some cookin'.

Lemme know!


Oak would be mostly north of ensenada and pine would be in the highlands of northern baja. You would have to really go out of your way to get that type of wood.

There is wood in the desert but it's not plentiful. We make campfires and roast steaks over them but they are pathetically small by most people's standards. 2-3 one inch thick branches burning at a time for about 20-30 minutes and it's over. The best wood is available where water is most likely to occur - the dry arroyos.

A lot of what appears to be deadwood is actually just dormant. If it's dead but extends below the surface then it's likely to be alive. The wood you find completely exposed on the surface, however, is dead wood. That's how I look at it.

Mesquite is best but sometimes hard to find. Elephant trees burn too fast and smell bad IMO. I stay away from creosote bushes. The common bush that looks like sagebrush is woody and fairly plentiful but is pretty small. If an ocotillo is laying flat on the ground it's pretty much dead, but that's also fairly uncommon. If you're on the coast it's pretty easy to find driftwood and that always burns real well.

Ateo - 1-22-2014 at 06:30 AM

The store in El Rosario sells firewood. When you're about to make that big left turn, don't and turn right or basically go straight and you will crash right into it.

firewood

noserider - 1-22-2014 at 10:50 AM

big, I also prefer to bring quality wood for wood burning stove, I have an open wood rack on top of My subaru and cross with it in plain view ,only one time I was questioned at the secondary at SY crossing and I told them it was for cooking and to stay warm and they let Me keep it, My wood was small split oak and euc logs, if the wood is 2x4 or constructon cut offs that could be a problem no matter the size because they don't want people bringing used bulding material down , I think that creates the confusion about the legality of bringing wood down, let us know how it goes.

rts551 - 1-22-2014 at 11:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigzaggin
Quote:
Originally posted by alacran
Some people are not smart enough to deserve an answer.


Ain't that the truth! I mean, who are these people?

Anywho, you know a good place in Baja to pick up some oak, maybe a bit of pine? Lookin' to build a campfire, do some cookin'.

Lemme know!


You can buy firewood in a lot of places. South of Maneadero at La Grulla. Sign out front. don't know what kind.

Guerrero Negro, Vizcaino, San Ignacio, all have dry Mesquite for sale

Don't kow where you are headed but even the small town of Punta Abreojos has plenty of firewood.

Just ask in a town for leña.

Bajamatic - 1-22-2014 at 11:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by alacran
Some people are not smart enough to deserve an answer.


And others are too stupid to provide relevant answers.

sancho - 1-22-2014 at 12:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajadogs
Am I the only nomad who thinks the most relaxing bon fire is a duraflame log?
They never let me down or introduced invasive species or stripped the local resources





Nice, the most thought full answer here

Bajamatic - 1-22-2014 at 12:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
The store in El Rosario sells firewood. When you're about to make that big left turn, don't and turn right or basically go straight and you will crash right into it.


I forgot about that market - we went in there last year for the first time. Such a great market! And now I remember the huge pile of firewood they had on the side - that's a great call. Thanks!

David K - 1-22-2014 at 12:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajamatic
Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
The store in El Rosario sells firewood. When you're about to make that big left turn, don't and turn right or basically go straight and you will crash right into it.


I forgot about that market - we went in there last year for the first time. Such a great market! And now I remember the huge pile of firewood they had on the side - that's a great call. Thanks!


I think you guys are describing the market 'San José'? It is #3 on this map I made of El Rosario businesses, in 2006:


Restaurants are highlighted.

woody with a view - 1-23-2014 at 10:32 PM

no DK, you would turn right instead of taking the big curve towards the east. basically across the empty lot from the SJ store towards the sea. i remember they used to have jars with pickled scorpoins and rattlers and tarantulas on display in the display case. haven't been in there in 20 years tho.

David K - 1-23-2014 at 11:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
no DK, you would turn right instead of taking the big curve towards the east. basically across the empty lot from the SJ store towards the sea. i remember they used to have jars with pickled scorpoins and rattlers and tarantulas on display in the display case. haven't been in there in 20 years tho.


Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
The store in El Rosario sells firewood. When you're about to make that big left turn, don't and turn right or basically go straight and you will crash right into it.


Jon is describing the big San José market here... Maybe the #3 on my map should be a little more to the left of where I stuck it? Unless this is something new, and you turn west and go away from Hwy. 1? I have been going to that market since the 1980's.

EDIT: I just looked at Google Earth and indeed the market building is just west of the corner, but the parking lot for it is straight across Hwy. 1, where it turns sharp left.

[Edited on 1-24-2014 by David K]

woody with a view - 1-23-2014 at 11:52 PM

the market he's talking about (if i can peer into his brain!) is west of SJ market. it happens to be across the street from the fishing Co-op HQ building, btw.

Barbareno - 1-24-2014 at 05:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551


You can buy firewood in a lot of places. South of Maneadero at La Grulla. Sign out front. don't know what kind.

Guerrero Negro, Vizcaino, San Ignacio, all have dry Mesquite for sale

Don't kow where you are headed but even the small town of Punta Abreojos has plenty of firewood.

Just ask in a town for leña.


We go into Vizcaino quite often, can you please give directions where we can pick up some firewood? Would love some Mesquite. Thanks.

rts551 - 1-24-2014 at 12:37 PM

Sotres (on the hiway) had it...or ask around. I usually buy it in Abreojos or have someone bring some from San Ignacio. By the way, apparently it is cheaper in Mulege if you know someone coming from there.