It is illegal to bring firewood into Michigan from areas quarantined for Asian longhorned beetle, thousand cankers disease, basalm woolly adelgid, hemlock woolly adelgid, and/or mountain pine beetle – unless it is certified, heat-treated firewood. In many cases, it is also against federal law to move firewood out of Michigan due to a spongy moth infestation in the state. The invasive spotted lanternfly was recently detected in Oakland County, so firewood should not be removed from this area.
To prevent the spread of these and other invasive forest pests, Michigan authorities ask residents and visitors to adhere to the following state-issued guidelines when using firewood:
- Buy firewood where you will burn it (ideally within 10 miles)
- Use firewood that is certified, heat-treated
- Leave your firewood at home when going camping; buy it at your destination or collect dead and down wood onsite when permitted
- Burn all your firewood, do not take any home with you
- Find local firewood vendors in Michigan by visiting Firewood Scout
Campgrounds often have their own firewood policies; many prohibit outside firewood unless it has been certified, heat-treated or was purchased from an approved vendor. (e.g., Sleeping Bear Dunes). Michigan State Parks asks visitors to purchase heat-certified firewood sold in parks or purchase firewood that has been certified as heat-treated at local stores and roadside stands. Be sure to determine the rules at your destination before traveling with firewood.
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 1 September 2023.
UPDATE: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has proposed a state-wide exterior firewood quarantine which would require firewood entering the state to be certified as heat-treated at a temperature of 140 degrees F. (60 degrees C.) for at least 60 minutes.
Michigan Web Resources:
- Michigan Don’t Move Firewood page, MI Invasive Species Program
- Michigan Buy it Where You Burn It; Firewood Information, MDARD
- Plant Pest Quarantines in Michigan
- Firewood Education and Outreach, MI State University (MSU)
- Firewood Certification and Standards, MSU
- Camping in Michigan, MDNR
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore bans ash firewood
- Firewood Transportation Do’s and Don’ts, Michigan RV & Campgrounds
- MDARD Proposes Exterior Firewood Quarantine, Press Release 2021
Pest Information
- Latest Info on Invasive and Species in MI
- Beech Bark Disease
- Emerald Ash Borer
- Oak Wilt
- MDARD asks Michiganders to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly, an invasive species threatening agriculture, natural resources, Press Release 2022
- Spotted lanternfly found in Oakland County, Press Release 2022
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