Bringing outside firewood into the Northwest Territories threatens the health of the vast boreal forest due to harmful forest pests and diseases. Many areas outside the Northwest Territories are regulated for invasive forest pests such as the European spongy moth, Dutch elm disease, European larch canker, and emerald ash borer. These and other pests often spread to new areas when people move untreated firewood from one place to another. As a result, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) prohibits the transport of firewood out of a regulated area without a permit. The CFIA urges residents and visitors to buy and burn local firewood with the following recommendations:
- Buy local and certified heat-treated firewood (within 80km)
- Do not bring outside firewood into Canada’s national parks
- Do not remove firewood out of any campground
- Tell others about the dangers of moving firewood long distances
Note: Open fires are not allowed at most national and territorial park campgrounds in the Northwest Territories, and they may put fire restrictions when wildfire risk is high. Visit NWT Parks or inquire the campground staff for the most current information.
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 3 November 2023.
Web Resources:
- Northwest Territories Council on Invasive Species, Pests, and Pathogens
- Hazards of Moving Firewood Page, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- Buy Local Burn Local, Canadian Invasive Species Council
- Invasive Alien Species, Northwest Territories Environment and Climate Change
- Brown spruce longhorn beetle Information, CFIA
- Mountain Pine Beetle Information
- Emerald ash borer in Canada
- Spongy Moth Information and Canadian Quarantine
- Environment and Climate Change, Government of the Northwest Territories
For more information, visit our General Canada Information page.
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