Two kinds of destructive insects may be hiding in firewood campers bring from outside the park. Emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle are originally from Asia but have been accidentally introduced to North America.

Emerald ash borer is now found in Ontario, Canada, throughout lower Michigan, Ohio, northern Indiana, the Chicago area, Maryland, and recently in Pennsylvania. Emerald ash borer has killed 12-15 million ash trees in North America since its discovery in 2002. More information about Emerald ash borer is available from the following links: US Forest Service and the national emerald ash borer website.

Asian longhorned beetle is in the metro New York/New Jersey area and in Chicago. Most Asian longhorned beetle infested trees have been in landscape settings so far. More information about Asian longhorned beetle is available from the US Forest Service website.

Both beetles lay eggs on trees and their young bore through trees as they grow. Infested trees must be cut, chipped and burned to prevent spread.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has trees that can be infested with these beetles—an infestation would devastate the forests here. To prevent this from occurring, firewood should not be brought into the park from quarantined states. Firewood is available at most large campgrounds and many local stores, and park regulations allow for collection of dead, fallen wood for campfires.