Kansas

The Kansas Department of Agriculture strongly advises that no out-of-state firewood be brought into Kansas, and firewood sourced from within the state should be bought and used locally. This is because moving firewood risks spreading invasive, tree-killing insects and diseases. Additionally, it is illegal to bring firewood into Kansas from states infested with thousand cankers disease.

Also, several counties in Kansas are infested with the destructive emerald ash borer, including Atchison, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte County; people in these areas should be extra mindful of the potential for spreading contaminated firewood. The Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas State University Research & Extension have several recommendations for firewood users designed to prevent and reduce the risk of transporting forest pests on firewood:

  • Buy or harvest firewood locally (as close to your intended burning location as possible). Local origin is often defined as being within 20 to 30 miles
  • If you are buying firewood that is commercially sold, look for wood carrying a USDA emblem or state sticker/declaration indicated kiln drying or bark removal
  • When camping, contact the campground for firewood information. Many campgrounds require that firewood come from local sources
  • Follow campsite rules for gathering firewood; do not cut any trees down
  • Do not take unburned firewood with you. If you can’t burn all the local firewood you purchased, leave it behind for your fellow campers. They will appreciate it!

This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of  28 June 2021.

Kansas Resources

Pest Specific Information

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