The state of Pennsylvania prohibits the movement of all types of firewood into the state from out-of-state sources, except for heat-treated, kiln-dried, and/or USDA certified firewood.
Within Pennsylvania, over 30 counties are under quarantine due to detrimental tree pests such as the spotted lanternfly and thousand cankers disease of walnut. This means that Pennsylvania prohibits moving firewood from quarantined counties to non-quarantined counties unless the firewood has been treated according to the statewide firewood compliance agreement. Regardless of the county you are in, Pennsylvania state authorities agree it is best to buy firewood near where you’ll burn it, buy certified heat-treated firewood, or gather firewood on site when permitted.
The Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide park advisory with the following firewood recommendations:
- Buy and burn locally cut firewood (preferably within 25 miles)
- BURN ALL firewood brought from another area
- Encourage friends and neighbors not to move firewood
- Do NOT remove firewood from a spotted lanternfly quarantine area
Further restrictions on the movement or use of firewood in Pennsylvania vary across land, park, and campground authorities. For example, it is prohibited to bring outside firewood into Allegheny National Forest or the campgrounds of the Delaware Water Gap. To ensure you are in compliance with local firewood regulations, please inquire about any rules in your specific area or destination.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 2 June 2021.
Pennsylvania State Web Resources
Pennsylvania Forest Pest Information
- Spotted lanternfly information, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine, updated 2021
- How You Can comply with Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Regulations, updated 2021
- Spotted Lanternfly Checklist for Residents, 2020
- Spotted Lanternfly Business Toolkit, 2021
- Spotted Lanternflies – Squish Them, 2021 Article
- Visual Guide (Booklet) to Threats to the Forest: Insects, Plants, and Diseases, 2020
- Pennsylvania Implores Residents to kill an Invasive Bug on Sight, New York Times article September 2019
- Emerald Ash Borer Information, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Thousand Cankers Disease Information, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Walnut Twig Beetle Information
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