New DNR Firewood Policy - Important for Campers and Picnickers
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There are 140 known pests and pathogens that can be moved from place to place in firewood. We all have a responsibility to conserve our Hoosier forests, so the DNR has implemented a new firewood management policy that will be in place on all of our properties this year.
We also know how important campfires are to each of you when you camp, so we’ve included ways that you can still bring firewood in with you.
You can bring firewood into a state park, reservoir, state forest or state fish and wildlife area if
- It is kiln-dried scrap lumber.
- It is from your home or other location in Indiana and has the bark removed. (Ideally, ½ inch of sapwood beneath the bark will also be removed.)
- It is purchased from a department store, grocery store, gas station, etc. and bears a USDA compliance stamp.
- It is purchased from a local firewood vendor outside the property and has a state compliance stamp with it.
- It is purchased from the property campstore or on-site firewood vendor and has a state compliance stamp.
We look forward to answering your questions about this new policy. You may email those questions to firewood@dnr.IN.gov. Thank you for doing your part to protect and conserve the forest resources on our DNR properties.
Sample of
State Firewood Compliance Stamp
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Frequently Asked Questions about the DNR Firewood Policy
- Why are you implementing this new policy?
- You’ve had a policy in state parks and reservoirs like this for several years, and Emerald Ash Borer seems to be spreading anyway. How is this new policy different?
- What are the other pests that are transported by firewood?
- The policy says the only wood I can bring from home is kiln dried scrap lumber or wood with the bark removed. What is the best way to remove the bark?
- Can I still bring debarked wood from home if there is an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine in my county?
- How do I know if there’s an EAB (or other) quarantine in my county?
- Can I bring debarked wood from home if I live in another state?
- Where can I buy wood with a federal compliance stamp?
- Where can I buy wood with a state compliance stamp?
- If I want to sell firewood, how can I get a state compliance agreement/stamp?
- Why does wood that I buy from a local vendor or a department store still have bark on it when I can’t bring wood from home with bark on it?
- I used to be able to bring in pine. Can I still do that?
- This seems like a way to make us buy firewood so local vendors and properties make money. The wood sold by local vendors and on properties is expensive and it isn’t always the greatest quality. Can you do something about that?
- What will happen if I don’t follow this policy?
- How can I find vendors who have a state compliance stamp to buy firewood from?
- Where can I get more information about firewood and the pests/pathogens that may be transported with it?
Why are you implementing this new policy?
The Department of Natural Resources is charged with managing and conserving the natural and cultural resources of Indiana. There are 140 or more pests and pathogens currently identified that can potentially be moved in firewood. Some of these pests can, if introduced to a DNR property, devastate forested areas where popular hiking trails are located and greatly reduce shade in property campgrounds. To learn more about pests in firewood check out the following link: http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/
You’ve had a policy in state parks and reservoirs like this for several years, and Emerald Ash Borer seems to be spreading anyway. How is this new policy different?
This new policy is department-wide and is approved by the Natural Resources Commission. Our previous policy was just for state parks and reservoirs. This new policy is being implemented because there are many potential pests and pathogens that can be moved in firewood – this is not just about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
EAB is just one good example of how pests and pathogens can be moved in firewood. This map (jpg, pdf) shows how many of the incidences of EAB in Indiana occurred because of firewood moved to that county. There are only two places where it’s been found in nursery stock. The rest have been from firewood. EAB is a problem, and there is the potential for the same thing to happen with other pests and pathogens. We’re being proactive instead of reactive.
What are the other pests that are transported by firewood?
There are many, but these are of most concern to DNR. Asian Longhorned Beetle kills maples and other tree species. Thousand Cankers Disease of Black walnut was recently found in Tennessee. Sirex Woodwasp attacks pines and is now present in New York. Gypsy Moth can move by egg masses laid on firewood and is a quarantined pest in Indiana. Several oak borers girdle and kill oak trees. Beech Bark disease is an insect and fungus working together to kill Amercian Beech trees and is killing the beech trees in Michigan’s forests and campgrounds. The following link shows some of the “Most Unwanted” pests that pose a threat to Indiana’s forests. http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/CAPS/forestry.html.
The policy says the only wood I can bring from home is kiln-dried scrap lumber or wood with the bark removed. What is the best way to remove the bark?
Allow your wood to season for at least a year in a warm sunny location; for example, stack it on the south or west side of the house. Split the bark off just as you would split larger diameter pieces into smaller ones to fit into a fire ring.
Can I still bring debarked wood from home if there is an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine in my county?
Yes, if you have removed the bark and 0.5 inch of sapwood. Only the heartwood firewood from quarantined counties is allowed. You can also bring kiln-dried lumber or purchase wood with a state or federal compliance stamp.
How do I know if there’s an EAB (or other) quarantine in my county?
You can check out the quarantine map on the Division of Entomology’s website.
Can I bring debarked wood from home if I live in another state?
No. Federal law prohibits the movement of firewood across state lines into or out of Indiana without a federal compliance stamp.
Where can I buy wood with a federal compliance stamp?
You can purchase firewood with a federal compliance stamp at many grocery stores, department stores, gas stations, etc. It is typically bundled in plastic and will have a label that includes the federal compliance stamp. Be sure to keep the label with the stamp handy in case DNR security staff or Indiana Conservation Officers visit your site and ask about your firewood.
Where can I buy wood with a state compliance stamp?
The Division of Entomology is certifying local businesses that sell firewood. These vendors bundle and label the wood they sell. If you stop to purchase wood from a local vendor near your favorite park, reservoir or state forest, be sure to ask them for a copy of their state compliance stamp to take with you. If they do not have one, please let them know they should obtain one.
Vendors selling firewood ON state properties at campstores must obtain a state compliance stamp. They should also be able to provide you with a copy. Be sure to keep the label with the stamp handy in case DNR security staff or Indiana Conservation Officers visit your site and ask about your firewood.
If I want to sell firewood, how can I get a state compliance agreement/stamp?
This map (click here for the map) provides contact information for your local compliance officer. Give them a call and they will gladly come and talk with you about processing wood and issue a compliance agreement good for one year. There is no fee for this service. All wood sold should include a copy of the stamp associated with your compliance agreement.
Businesses must be registered with the Secretary of State to obtain a compliance agreement. State compliance agreements are not issued to individuals who want to bring firewood onto a property.
Why does wood that I buy from a local vendor or a department store still have bark on it when I can’t bring wood from home with bark on it?
If you bought your wood from a department store, grocery store, gas station or other location where the wood is bundled and has a federal compliance stamp, the wood has been processed in a manner that ensures any pests that may have been on the firewood are no longer a concern. There are several processing methods including heat treatment or fumigation to kill any pests or pathogens. These are requirements for obtaining a federal compliance stamp.
If you bought your wood from a local vendor or on the property, they may be operating under an old state compliance agreement, which allows bark on all wood but ash. That will be changing over the next year, and all wood sold by local vendors will require that either the bark be removed or the firewood be processed in such a manner as to remove any potential pests or pathogens.
I used to be able to bring in pine. Can I still do that?
There are pests and pathogens that can be transported in pine firewood. Therefore you must remove the bark from pine firewood before you bring it to a state property from an Indiana county, just like you must remove the bark from hardwood firewood.
This seems like a way to make us buy firewood so local vendors and properties make money. The wood sold by local vendors and on properties is expensive and it isn’t always the greatest quality. Can you do something about that?
We cannot control the pricing structure that local vendors have for their firewood.
We do monitor the wood sold by our local concessionaires who operate campstores and the wood directly sold by our properties. If you have a concern about consistent quality or cost of wood, you can email us at firewood@dnr.IN.gov and our concession inspectors can check it. Please know that our intent with this new policy is NOT to create a financial burden on our visitors. The intent is to honor our mission to conserve and manage our natural and cultural resources so that future generations can continue to enjoy them.
What will happen if I don’t follow this policy?
This year, we’ll politely ask you to reconsider and, at the very least, burn all of the wood you brought with you. When this policy becomes a property rule, probably in 2012, your wood may be confiscated and you may be issued a citation if you do not comply with this effort to manage and conserve our forest resources on DNR properties. We ask that you begin to follow this policy in 2011 so you are ready for the new rule in 2012.
How can I find vendors who have a state compliance stamp to buy firewood from?
Vendors who have a valid state compliance agreement and will be able to provide you with a copy of the compliance stamp for your wood are listed on the Division of Entomology's website. (Click here for the list of vendors) This document is updated monthly.
Where can I get more information about firewood and the pests/pathogens that may be transported with it?
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