Montana

Harmful tree pests that spread on firewood like spongy moth, Asian long-horned beetle, and emerald ash borer could cause irreversible damage if introduced in Montana. As a result, it is against state and/or federal law to bring untreated firewood into Montana from most out-of-state sources. Additionally, Montana authorities provide the following firewood recommendations for to prevent the spread of damaging forest pests:

  • Do not move firewood across state lines
  • Buy it where you burn it, both for home heating and camping
  • Make sure your firewood comes from within 50 miles (ideally within 10 miles)
  • Make sure your firewood is heat-treated or certified pest-free
  • Do not assume that firewood is safe to transport even if it does not have any signs of infestation

Parks and campgrounds often have additional rules on firewood. Montana’s State Parks strongly encourages visitors to leave firewood at home and instead buy firewood at or near their campground. Firewood is also available at most camp stores within or near many National Park campsites in Montana (e.g., Glacier NP). Be sure to find out the rules at your destination before bringing 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 through their campaign buylocalburnlocal.ca.

This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 12 September 2023.

Montana Web Resources:

Pest Specific Information

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