It is illegal to bring untreated firewood into Michigan from areas quarantined for Asian longhorned beetle, thousand cankers disease, basalm woolly adelgid, hemlock woolly adelgid, mountain pine beetle, and/or imported fire ant. In many cases, it is also against federal law to move firewood out of Michigan due to a spongy moth infestation in the state. 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.
Many National parks, state parks, and private campgrounds in Michigan prohibit outside firewood unless it has been certified, heat-treated. Please remember to learn the firewood rules at your destination before visiting.
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 16 July 2021.
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 Buy it Where You Burn It; Firewood Information, MDARD
- Firewood Education and Outreach, MI State University
- Camping Rules and Regulations on State Lands in Michigan, MDNR
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore bans ash firewood
Pest Specific Information
- Beech Bark Disease in Michigan
- Emerald Ash Borer in Michigan
- European Spongy Moth North America Quarantine Map
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Michigan
- Oak Wilt in Michigan
- Latest Info on Invasive and Species in MI
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