Moving firewood is one of the easiest ways for destructive insects and diseases to spread. These pests cannot travel far on their own, but they can travel hundreds of miles a day on someone’s campfire wood. Once established, these pests can devastate local trees, harming wildlife habitat, recreation, and Vermont's fall foliage.
Outbreaks of emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and oak wilt have all been found near campgrounds and traced to people moving wood for campfires. The risk of spreading pests with firewood is so great that most states have laws to prevent it. Vermont prohibits bringing untreated out-of-state firewood into the state.
“Many insect eggs or diseases are too small to see,” says Ginger Nickerson, University of Vermont Extension’s Forest Pest Education Coordinator. “Logs that look fine can still have tiny insect eggs or microscopic fungal spores inside the wood, so anyone moving firewood may unknowingly introduce a forest pest to a new area.”
When you go camping or hunting this fall, instead of bringing wood from home, buy firewood locally, or where permitted, gather it near where you are planning to burn it. You can also purchase certified heat-treated wood that has been treated for pests. Certified heat-treated firewood is the only firewood that is safe to move long-distances. Look for a federal or state stamp or seal on the package.
