Firewood should not be brought into New Mexico from out-of-state sources due to quarantines aimed at preventing the spread of harmful tree pests like the emerald ash borer, spongy moth, spotted lanternfly, and imported fire ant. Also, firewood should not be taken out of Dona Ana county, to prevent the spread of red imported fire ant within the New Mexico. Taking uncertified firewood out of New Mexico and into many midwestern and eastern states is against their state laws to prevent the spread of forest pests like thousand cankers disease.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection also encourages campers to burn firewood where you obtain it and to avoid moving firewood from one campground to another. All firewood entering New Mexico from the country of Mexico is subject to inspection at ports of entry.
Two additional tree pests that pose a serious threat to New Mexico’s native forests are the goldspotted oak borer and the soapberry borer; both can infest new areas when people travel with firewood. To help prevent the spread of invasive tree pests, please always use local firewood.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 13 September 2023.
New Mexico Web Resources :
- New Mexico Forest Health, Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department
- Hungry Pests, New Mexico page
- Plant Inspection, Certification, and Quarantines, New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA)
- Entomology and Nursery Industries, NMDA
- Thousand Cankers Disease information and map archives
- Imported Fire Ant Information
- Goldspotted oak borer information
- Soapberry borer information
- Spongy Moth Quarantine Map
- Bark Beetles in New Mexico
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