Use local firewood to prevent spread of pests

To protect Wisconsin’s trees, obtain firewood, use it where it will be used, or use certified firewood that has been properly heat-treated or aged, to kill any infesting pests or diseases.

Firewood can transport harmful tree problems to a backyard, street or favorite campsite. Just one firewood log can easily hide insects, such as emerald ash borer or spongy moth, or the tiny spores of a tree-killing fungal disease, such as oak wilt.

Instead of taking firewood along on the next camping trip or bringing some home from far away, get firewood where it will be used. Make sure it is from trees harvested nearby, or buy firewood that has been processed to eliminate pests and diseases.

Wisconsin regulates the movement of firewood in the state, to help protect trees and forests. Property owners and managers may also have additional restrictions.

There are two quarantines that regulate the movement of firewood in Wisconsin. As of 2018, the entire state is quarantined for emerald ash borer (EAB), which means the quarantine no longer regulates county-to-county firewood movement in the state.

The quarantine for the spongy moth prohibits the movement of firewood, east to west, from infested to non-quarantined Wisconsin counties.

If moving firewood to, or through, tribal properties, contact the tribe for its policy on allowable firewood.

County, federal and private campgrounds may have their own firewood restrictions. Call ahead or look online for specific information, including whether firewood is available at the campground.

To prevent the spread of emerald ash borer, and other invasive insects and diseases moving in firewood, the DNR developed a permanent rule which prohibits visitors from bringing firewood into Wisconsin state parks and other statemanaged lands, from locations farther than 10 miles away from the property. Treated, pest-free wood from state certified vendors, is exempted from this regulation.

To help with trip planning, each state campground has a map, showing the 10-mile radius. To help protect the state’s forests from harmful pests and diseases, obtain firewood at the property, from within this 10-mile radius or buy state-certified firewood, if purchasing the wood more than 10 miles from the property.