Idaho has trees and forests that could be infested by harmful forest pests like the emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly, and gypsy moth. To prevent these and other invasive tree pests from entering the state, authorites in Idaho encourage visitors to buy local firewood and leave out-of-state firewood at home. Idaho prohibits the transport of invasive species into or through the state, which means bringing firewood infested with any listed invasive species into Idaho is against the law. Also, moving firewood from Idaho into most midwestern and eastern states is against state laws, as this can spread forest pests like thousand cankers disease of walnut.
The state of Idaho supports these recommendations for firewood users to prevent the movement of damaging tree pests:
- Buy it where you burn it, both for home heating and camping firewood uses.
- Make sure your firewood comes from within 50 miles, and ideally within 10 miles.
- When going camping, buy firewood at or near the campsite.
- Leave any remaining local firewood at the campsite or leave it with the camp host.
Bringing firewood from Canada into the USA is prohibited unless the firewood is labeled and certified heat-treated. Read about these requirements on the USDA and CBP firewood information sheet.
Bringing firewood from the USA into Canada is prohibited unless the firewood is labeled and certified heat-treated. Canada also encourages visitors to use local firewood.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 22 June 2021.
Idaho Web Resources
- PlayCleanGo, Invasives 101
- Invasive Species of Idaho, Camper and Firewood Information Page
- Why should we care about invasive species? Idaho Information
- Bark Beetle and Firewood
- Forest Health, University of Idaho
Pest Specific Information for Idaho
- Plant Pest Diagnostic Services, University of Idaho
- Idaho Invasive Species Report Information
- Bark Beetles Infesting Ponderosa Pines, Boise National Forest
- What’s wrong with my tree?
Firewood Business Related Information
- Idaho Forest Action Plan
- Idaho State Invasive Species Transport Law
- Canada Firewood Best Practices
- USDA Heat Treatment Requirement for Canadian Firewood
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