Delaware prohibits outside firewood from entering any state park or forest. Visitors must instead purchase firewood at the campground or collect down and dead wood where permitted. This is to protect the state’s forests and agriculture from harmful tree pests such as the Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly, and many others. Out-of-state firewood poses a serious threat to trees since invasive pests often spread to new areas on firewood. The following conditions also apply in Delaware:
- The entire state of Delaware is under quarantine for the spotted lanternfly; firewood is one of the regulated articles that needs to be thoroughly inspected prior to transport to ensure no life stage of the insect hitches a ride (including its eggs!).
- The state of Delaware and surrounding states are under federal quarantine for spongy moth which restricts the transport of firewood out of affected quarantined areas.
To protect Delaware’s resources, use firewood locally: buy it where you burn it or gather on-site where permitted.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 17 July 2024.
Delaware Web Resources
- Delaware State Parks Firewood Policy (see under “Important Information About Camping”)
- Delaware Forest Service, Forest Health Page
- Delaware State Forest Regulations (Section 7: Camping Rules and Regulations)
- Delaware Invasive Species Council
- Pest Tracker, Delaware Page, USDA APHIS
Pest Specific Resources
- Asian Longhorned Beetle, DE Forest Health Alert
- Emerald Ash Borer in Delaware
- Sirex Wood Wasp, DE Forest Health Alert
- Spotted Lanternfly Information, DE Dept. of Agriculture
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