It is against the law to move untreated firewood out of areas regulated for tree pests in Nova Scotia without a permit from the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA). This is to prevent the transport of pests within and across each province since invasive forest pests often spread to new areas when people travel with untreated firewood. The pests regulated in Nova Scotia include the spongy moth, Dutch elm disease, European larch canker, emerald ash borer, brown spruce longhorn beetle, and hemlock woolly adelgid. Canadian authorities urge residents and visitors to buy and burn local firewood with the following recommendations to prevent the spread of invasive pests:
- Buy certified heat-treated or local firewood (from within 80km)
- Do not bring firewood into a national park in Canada
- Do not remove firewood out of any campground
- Tell others about the dangers of moving firewood long distances
Authorities in Nova Scotia have additional firewood rules to protect the health of the forest as moving firewood, even a few kilometers, can lead to new invasive pests infestations.
- Buy firewood where you burn it
- Don’t bring wood from outside sources
- Leave un-used firewood for the next camper (don’t take wood back home from campsite)
Campers can purchase firewood at most national parks and provincial park campgrounds in Nova Scotia.
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 November 2023.
Nova Scotia Resources:
- Nova Scotia’s Don’t Move Firewood Page
- The Novia Scotia Invasive Species Council Don’t Move Firewood Program
- Nova Scotia Provincial Parks
- Forest Insects and Diseases Information in Nova Scotia
Canada General Web Resources:
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Don’t Move Firewood Page
- Canadian Council on Invasive Species, Buy Local Burn Local
- US Customs and Border Protection (regarding personal firewood from Canada into the USA)
- Canada Border Services Agency (regarding person firewood from the USA into Canada)
Pest Specific Information:
- Asian Longhorned Beetle Questions and Answers
- Brown Spruce Longhorned Beetle Information
- Emerald Ash Borer, Regulated Areas in Canada
- Spongy Moth in Nova Scotia
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Information, Nova Scotia Hemlock Initiative
- Spongy Moth Information and Canadian Quarantine
For more information, visit our General Canada Information page.
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