Firewood prices are heating up
Stocking stove will be costly this year

Homeowners hoping to cut their heating costs by stoking the wood stove might be in for a shock.

Firewood — if you can find it — has soared in price.

"We have a mile-long waiting list (of buyers)," said Patty Brightman, co-owner of Brightman Lumber in Assonet. "I've never seen so many people wanting to buy firewood ... some people are already buying for next year."

The high demand translates to high prices.

Ms. Brightman, whose brother, Eddie, runs a separate firewood business, said last year's price for a cord of cut, split and dried firewood was $180. This year, the same wood is priced at up to $250 a cord. Some suppliers are closer to $350.

Making matters worse, firewood is getting harder to find.

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