Firewood should not be brought into New Mexico from out-of-state sources due to quarantines aimed at preventing the spread of harmful tree pests like the emerald ash borer, spongy moth, spotted lanternfly, and imported fire ant. Taking uncertified firewood out of New Mexico and into many midwestern and eastern states is against their state laws to prevent the spread of forest pests like thousand cankers disease.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection also encourages campers to burn firewood near where you source it and to avoid moving firewood from one campground to another. All firewood entering New Mexico from the country of Mexico is subject to inspection at ports of entry.
Two additional tree pests that pose a serious threat to New Mexico’s native forests are the goldspotted oak borer and the soapberry borer; both can infest new areas when people travel with firewood. To help prevent the spread of invasive tree pests, please always use local firewood.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of February 2026.
New Mexico Web Resources :
- New Mexico Forest Health, Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department
- Pest Information for New Mexico, USDA APHIS
- Plant Inspection, Certification, and Quarantines, New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
- Entomology and Nursery Industries, NMDA
- Imported Fire Ant Information, USDA APHIS
- Goldspotted oak borer information, University of California Ag. and Natural Resources
- Soapberry borer information, Texas Forest Service
- Spongy Moth Quarantine Map, USDA APHIS
- Bark Beetles in New Mexico, NMSU
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