Firewood Demand Surges as Bitter Winter Grips US

Suppliers struggle to keep up with soaring orders amid cold snaps and power outages

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Across the United States, the demand for firewood has skyrocketed as Americans seek alternative heat sources during a prolonged stretch of bitter cold weather and winter storms. Firewood suppliers in regions like Nashville, New York, and North Carolina are reporting record-breaking sales and struggling to keep up with the surge in orders from customers trying to stay warm and prevent pipes from freezing.

Why it matters

The high demand for firewood highlights the challenges many Americans face in staying warm during extreme winter conditions, especially when power outages occur. The firewood industry is also grappling with the impacts of climate change, which has led to fewer logging days and tighter supplies in some regions.

The details

Firewood suppliers like Bradley Hite in Nashville, Richard Heby in New York, and Jason Loflin in North Carolina have all seen a massive spike in orders as customers seek alternative heating sources. Hite said his company was selling up to 25 ricks (a unit of firewood) per day during the recent ice storm in Nashville, compared to the usual 4-10 ricks. Heby's company in New York set a single-day sales record, selling enough wood to fill a tractor-trailer. Loflin in North Carolina had to recruit help to keep up with the surge in deliveries, receiving 150 calls per day compared to the usual 10-15.

  • In late January, a potent winter storm hit North Carolina.
  • In late January, an ice storm knocked out power to over 200,000 customers in Nashville.

The players

Bradley Hite

The 32-year-old owner of Nashville Firewood, a second-generation firewood supply business.

Richard Heby

The 35-year-old owner of Woodbourne Firewood, a firewood company started in New York in 2022.

Jason Loflin

The 42-year-old owner of The Firewood Guy NC in Thomasville, North Carolina, a firewood supply business started by his father 38 years ago.

Grahm Leitner

A 48-year-old logging contractor and forester from Waterbury, Vermont, who says climate change has reduced the number of logging days by about half compared to the 1980s.

Daniel Moznett

The director of sales and marketing for Duraflame, a fire log manufacturer.

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What they’re saying

“People were like very desperate and in dire need. They literally sounded like the world was going to end.”

— Jason Loflin, Owner, The Firewood Guy NC (Instagram)

“It got crazy — and we still haven't fully recovered.”

— Bradley Hite, Owner, Nashville Firewood (San Francisco Chronicle)

“We were breaking records.”

— Richard Heby, Owner, Woodbourne Firewood (New York Times)

“As the supply tightens, the price is going to get higher.”

— Grahm Leitner, Logging Contractor and Forester (New York Times)

“Pretty much anything that burns, consumers are looking to stay warm with.”

— Daniel Moznett, Director of Sales and Marketing, Duraflame (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This winter's persistent cold and series of winter storms have led to a surge in demand for firewood and other heating sources, putting pressure on suppliers and highlighting the challenges many Americans face in staying warm during extreme weather events, especially when power outages occur. The firewood industry is also grappling with the impacts of climate change, which has reduced logging days and tightened supplies in some regions.