Demand for Firewood Surges as Winter Storms Grip the U.S.

Suppliers struggle to keep up with increased orders for logs and manufactured fire logs

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Bitter cold weather and a cascade of winter storms across large sections of the United States have intensified demand for firewood, putting pressure on suppliers, sawmills and retailers to keep up with the surge of people looking to heat their homes. Firewood suppliers in Tennessee and North Carolina have reported a significant increase in orders, with some customers waiting up to two weeks for delivery.

Why it matters

The high demand for firewood highlights the challenges faced by Americans in staying warm during the prolonged winter weather, as power outages and the need for supplemental heating sources have become more common. The strain on firewood suppliers also reflects the broader impact of the extreme weather on communities and businesses.

The details

In Nashville, Tennessee, firewood supplier Bradley Hite said there was a wait of up to two weeks for delivery as business has boomed. In North Carolina, Jason Loflin, the owner of Firewood Guy NC, had to recruit help from his gym buddies to keep up with the surge of customers seeking warmth. Loflin said he was receiving 150 calls a day, up from his usual 10 to 15, before a potent winter storm hit the state. Some customers were expecting to lose power, while others wanted a supplemental heat source to keep their homes and pipes from freezing.

  • In late January, a potent winter storm hit North Carolina.
  • Temperatures in North Carolina dropped to around zero degrees Fahrenheit for a few nights.

The players

Bradley Hite

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

Jason Loflin

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

Daniel Moznett

The director of sales and marketing for Duraflame, the fire log manufacturer, who has also noticed an increased demand for the company's products.

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What they’re saying

“People were like very desperate and in dire need.”

— Jason Loflin, Owner, Firewood Guy NC

“They would say, 'Can I get wood delivered today?' 'Is there any way we can do that?' I would say, 'I'm sorry. We can't do that. We're two weeks out on delivery.'”

— Bradley Hite, Owner, Nashville Firewood

The takeaway

The surge in demand for firewood highlights the challenges faced by communities in staying warm during prolonged winter weather, as power outages and the need for supplemental heating sources have become more common. The strain on firewood suppliers reflects the broader impact of the extreme weather on businesses and the importance of preparedness for such events.