The recent discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB) in a St. Paul neighborhood means that people should not pack firewood when making summer camping plans. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Mark
Holsten issued an order dealing with use of firewood on state land. Only firewood purchased at a state park or from a DNR-approved vendor may be brought onto state land.
Approved firewood vendors must supply firewood that meets one of the following standards: Non-ash firewood originating on lands within Minnesota and within 100 miles of the DNR land on which it is to be used; firewood originating from Minnesota that has been heat-treated in a kiln certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture; split firewood from Minnesota that is 100 percent debarked according to federal guidelines (removal of bark and outer one-half inch of sapwood).
A list of approved firewood vendors is available at: www.dnr. state.mn.us/firewood_vendors/ vendors/list.html
The receipt supplied by the approved vendor should be retained as proof of purchase. Unapproved firewood brought to a state-administered campground will be confiscated and the transporter is subject to a $100 fine.
The new order specifies that firewood originating from a quarantined county in Minnesota will be approved only for use in that county. Currently, there is a quarantine on firewood, ash trees and ash products in Hennepin, Houston and Ramsey counties.
While EAB spreads slowly on its own, it can hitch a ride to new areas when people transport firewood or other wood products infested with the larvae.
More firewood information is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/ firewood/index.html.
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