Firewood Sales Surge as Winter Storms Grip US

Demand for firewood and manufactured fire logs soars amid prolonged cold and power outages across the country.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Weeks of freezing temperatures and winter storms across parts of the United States have increased the demand for firewood and manufactured fire logs, leading to supply shortages and long wait times for delivery. Firewood suppliers in Nashville, New York, and North Carolina have reported record-breaking sales as customers seek to heat their homes and prevent pipes from freezing.

Why it matters

The surge in firewood demand highlights the impact of the persistent cold weather and winter storms on communities across the country, with many residents relying on alternative heat sources like fireplaces and furnaces to stay warm during power outages and extreme temperatures.

The details

Firewood suppliers in Nashville, New York, and North Carolina have seen a dramatic increase in demand, with some reporting selling up to 25 ricks (a unit of firewood) per day, compared to their usual 4-10 ricks. The suppliers have had to turn away customers and face backlogs of up to two weeks for deliveries. The high demand has been driven by both customers expecting power outages and those seeking supplemental heat sources to keep their homes and pipes from freezing.

  • In late January, a major ice storm hit Nashville, knocking out power to more than 200,000 electric customers.
  • In early February, a potent winter storm hit North Carolina, leading to a surge in firewood orders.
  • From January 15 to February 8, heating energy demand was significantly above the long-term average in several cities, including Atlanta, Raleigh, Dallas, and New York.

The players

Bradley Hite

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

Richard Heby

The owner of Woodbourne Firewood, a firewood company started in New York in 2022.

Jason Loflin

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

Jonathan Porter

The chief meteorologist for AccuWeather, who noted that this winter has been characterized by the persistence of substantial cold.

Grahm Leitner

A logging contractor and forester from Waterbury, Vermont, who said the number of days spent logging in a given year is about half of what it was in the 1980s, especially because of climate change.

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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 (The New York Times)

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

— Bradley Hite, Owner, Nashville Firewood (The New York Times)

“We were breaking records.”

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

What’s next

As the supply of firewood tightens, experts predict that the price will continue to rise, putting additional strain on consumers seeking to stay warm during the prolonged winter weather.

The takeaway

The surge in firewood demand highlights the resilience and adaptability of local businesses in the face of extreme weather events, as well as the importance of having access to alternative heating sources in communities vulnerable to power outages and prolonged cold snaps.