The highly destructive and invasive emerald ash borer was first discovered in South Dakota in May 2018. In order to prevent the further spread of this extremely harmful pest, it is illegal to take firewood out of Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, Union, and Brookings Counties. South Dakota also prohibits the entry of firewood from all states infested with emerald ash borer.
Due to other states’ quarantines on pests like thousand cankers disease and spongy moth, it is illegal to bring firewood into South Dakota from many out-of-state sources. Also, because South Dakota is home to damaging tree pests like the mountain pine beetle, firewood should not be taken out of the state either. Using firewood locally helps protect forest health.
South Dakota’s Game, Fish, and Parks remind firewood users that:
- Firewood is available for purchase in the parks or from local stores outside the emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine area
- Firewood that has been within an EAB quarantine area should not be brought into any South Dakota state park unless it has been certified and labeled as EAB-treated and safe to move
- For parks located within the EAB quarantine area, outside firewood must also be certified and labeled EAB-treated and safe to move
- If you purchase firewood from a state park within the EAB quarantine area, do not remove it from the park
The Black Hills National Forest also reminds visitors that you can make a difference by obtaining your firewood near to where you will be burning it.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 16 December 2024.
South Dakota Web Resources:
- Camping regulations in South Dakota (see firewood tab), South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP)
- Forest Health in South Dakota, South Dakota Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR)
- ‘An ecological disaster’: Emerald Ash Borer infestation in South Dakota, 2021 article
- Plant Protection and Invasive Species, DANR
- South Dakota State Parks, Camping information (scroll down to Firewood Alert), GFP
Pest Information and Resources:
- Mountain Pine Beetle Information, DANR
- Emerald Ash Borer Community Guidance, DANR
- Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine, DANR
- Reminder Firewood from the Sioux Falls Area is Under Quarantine, GFP
- Spongy Moth Quarantine Map, USDA APHIS
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