Untreated firewood from Canada now banned

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently instituted a new regulation requiring that firewood imported into the US from Canada must be heat treated. This ruling, which applies to all hardwood (non-coniferous) trees, is meant to prevent the accidental introduction of non-native pests including the Asian longhorned beetle, the emerald ash borer, and the gypsy moth. To be approved for entry into the US, the firewood must be certified as being heat treated at 71.1'C (160'F) for at least 75 minutes. The ban includes transport of firewood for personal uses, such as camping - another good reason to buy and use firewood locally.

To learn more about why you shouldn't transport untreated firewood, check out the Don't Move Firewood website. You can also read the official Federal Import Quarantine Order here (pdf).

Photo source: NYS DEC