It is against state law to bring firewood into Florida from out-of-state (with a limited exception for 50 miles from the FL border) unless the firewood has a master permit, certification of treatment, or other form of exemption. This is to protect Florida’s natural and agricultural resources from invasive species that are known to spread on firewood; these include forest pests like emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, spongy moth, and sirex woodwasp – as well as diseases such as sudden oak death, beech bark disease, and oak wilt.
The Florida Department of Agriculture asks that campers Buy Local, Burn Local and take the following steps to protect Florida’s parks and forests:
- Buy firewood when you reach your destination.
- Burn it all onsite
Quarantines in Florida that affect firewood: Authorities in Florida have quarantined off several areas infested with the destructive giant African land snail in Broward, Lee, and Pasco counties, and it is illegal to move firewood out of the quarantine zone. Similarly, the entire state of Florida is under federal quarantine for imported fire ant which restricts the legal transport of firewood out of the state of Florida. To help protect trees in Florida and beyond, get firewood as near as possible to where you will burn it!
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 29 June 2023.
Additional Resources:
- Firewood Regulations, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Gardening Solutions: Firewood IFAS page, University of Florida
- US Forest Service Southern Region Firewood Information
- “Protect the Trees You Love” Florida Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program Brochure
- State of Florida Rule on Firewood and Unprocessed Wood Products
- Hungry Pests, Florida Page
- Giant African land snail Information, USDA APHIS
- Imported Fire Ant information and map archives
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