It is illegal to take untreated firewood out of Quebec due to the presence of the emerald ash borer, spongy moth, and Dutch elm disease. These and other damaging forest pests often spread to new areas when people travel with firewood. As a result, it is illegal to move firewood out of a regulated area without a movement certificate from the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA). To prevent the spread of invasive forest pests both within and between providences, the CFIA provides several firewood rules and recommendations:
- Buy local and certified heat-treated firewood (ideally 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
For all 24 provincial parks, the Société des establishments de plein air du Québec (SÉPAQ) ask visitors use only firewood provided by the park or producers right outside the park. Federal parks in Canada also ban outside firewood. Municipal and private campgrounds in Quebec often have their own firewood restrictions. Be sure to find out the rules at your destination before bringing firewood; when in doubt, buy it where you burn it.
Bringing firewood from Canada into the USA is prohibited unless the firewood is labeled and certified heat-treated. Click 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 2 November 2023.
Quebec Web Resources
- Regulations in Quebec’s National Parks
- Don’t Move Firewood! Camping Quebec
- Heat-Treated Firewood Program (HTFWP)
- Emerald Ash Borer: beware of firewood! CAA-Quebec Tips and Tricks
Canada General Web Resources
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Don’t Move Firewood
- Buy Local Burn Local, Canadian Council on Invasive Species
Pest Specific Information
- Asian longhorned beetle page, Government of Canada
- Brown spruce longhorned beetle, CFIA
- Emerald ash borer, Areas Regulated in Canada
- Spongy Moth North America Quarantine
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