The Superior and Chippewa National Forests are implementing new rules regarding the processing, transport and use of specific types of firewood on national forest lands within the boundaries of both forests.
Thenew rules hope to address the introduction and dispersal of non-native invasive species (NNIS), including emerald ash borer (EAB), by firewood movement into Minnesota.
The new policy prohibits firewood from any state other than Minnesota, of any species, to be brought onto national forest system lands from farther than 100 miles of the Chippewa or Superior National Forest lands on which it is to be used. (Non-ash firewood gathered within 100 miles of the Chippewa or Superior National Forest may be used.)
It also prohibits any firewood from a state-quarantined county as well as counties contiguous to quarantined counties, and any firewood purchased from a non-certified vendor. A listing of approved firewood vendors is on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ website. It is essential to keep a receipt of purchase that includes name of approved vendor, date, and quantity of wood purchased.
The most important way campers can help is to use firewood sources local to where they camp and avoid transporting any firewood. Firewood is an easy ride for EAB and other unwanted pests. Unable to fly more than two miles on its own, the EAB can spread at “55 mph” when it hitches a ride with campers.
EAB is of particular concern in Minnesota because the state contains the second largest concentration of ash trees in the nation. The EAB is an exotic, nonnative species, which has no natural predators in this country. For the past several years, EAB has been making a slow and deadly migration throughout the Midwest and has already destroyed millions of ash trees. Most recently, EAB was discovered in southeastern Minnesota.
Currently, a Minnesota state-issued quarantine prohibits movement of wood products out of Hennepin, Ramsey and Houston Counties.
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