March 13, 2023 1:48 PM
Firewood Restrictions in Place to stop spread of Emerald Ash Borer
Moving firewood into North Dakota from out of state can introduce destructive pests.
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Forest Service, and North Dakota Parks and Recreation strongly advise that firewood should be bought and used locally to prevent the spread of pests both within the state, and to prevent pests from accidentally entering the state.
North Dakota has more than 400,000 acres of community forests and almost 2 million acres of upland forests, riparian forests and rural tree plantings such as wind breaks. Protecting the health of these trees is a shared responsibility of everyone that values the natural environment of the Dakotas.
Moving uncertified firewood out of the areas under quarantine for these pests can be a federal offense. Nearby states with quarantines for these pests include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Michigan.
Anyone who has moved firewood into the state from a regulated area is urged to burn it immediately. Do not bring it back with you, and please consult with your local Department of Agriculture prior to moving firewood across state or county boundaries next time. For more information on firewood pests, visit www.dontmovefirewood.org/.
Find and advertise local firewood here.
Destructive Pests
Many states in the Great Plains region near North Dakota have areas under quarantine for pests such as emerald ash borer (EAB), spongy moth, and Asian longhorned beetle, and it is illegal to move any regulated items (most firewood is considered a regulated item) from quarantined zones out of those states and into North Dakota without a state or federal inspection certificate, or a stamp certifying heat treatment. Other areas, such as Rocky Mountain states, could have regional pests of concern within their firewood - including mountain pine beetle, balsam woolly adelgid, walnut twig beetle and others. For more information on destructive pests, visit www.HungryPests.com.