Firewood Facts, Rules & Advice

The discovery of the invasive emerald ash borer in Wisconsin in early August, 2008, has caused changes regarding how firewood and other wood products can be moved within our state. It also serves as a stark reminder of how firewood can harbor many different kinds of invasive pests and diseases that are harmful to Wisconsin’s trees – both in forest and urban settings. Gypsy moth, oak wilt, and the emerald ash borer are just a few examples of pests and diseases that hitch hike on firewood, making their way easily into previously unaffected, healthy areas. This poses a serious threat to trees throughout the state. To protect our parks and forests from these firewood hitch hikers, the Wisconsin DNR has created a permanent rule, effective December 1, 2006, which prohibits bringing firewood onto any DNR properties from more than 50 miles away or from outside of Wisconsin. This includes campsites in state parks and forests. Additional information is available on the rule, DNR Rule: NR 45.04 (1) (g) [PDF 11KB].

In addition, state and federal laws forbid moving firewood out of emerald ash borer quarantined areas (PDF). Currently, this means that firewood that has been stored, purchased, harvested, or that has moved through the quarantine areas with stops longer than what it takes to re-fuel a vehicle, may not be moved out of these areas. And firewood may not be moved from counties in eastern Wisconsin to anywhere farther west under gypsy moth quarantines. If such firewood enters a DNR managed property, regardless of whether it is within 50 miles, it will be confiscated. State and federal fines up to $1,000.00 apply for violations of firewood quarantines.

This resource may help you identify some of the threats associated with moving firewood long distances, View a photo slideshow of pests and diseases that are transported on firewood.

To help with trip planning, an interactive map is available that shows the 50-mile radius around each state property. Choose your destination from the map’s drop-down menu and the map will darken the area within a 50-mile radius, illustrating where it is safe to bring firewood from (if it is not from a quarantined county) if it will be burned at your destination.

Many private campgrounds and county parks have firewood restrictions [exit DNR] in place for their properties as well.

What is Acceptable Firewood?

• Firewood purchased within 50 miles of a state forest, park, or other state-managed property.
• AND harvested in Wisconsin.
• AND NOT purchased, harvested or stored in, or transported through a quarantined county of Wisconsin. These include: Ozaukee, Washington, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan Counties.
• Firewood from a vendor that is certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Find a certified vendor [exit DNR].
• Dimensional and untreated lumber scraps, such as 2-by-4s and 2-by-6s.

Firewood Types

People camping at Wisconsin State Parks and Forests are allowed to bring scrap lumber for campfires. Dimensional lumber scraps, such as 2x4 or 4x6 scraps from a building project, will be allowed on the property upon the discretion of park staff. Lumber is fully dried and debarked before it can be used in building, which means it cannot harbor pests and diseases of living trees like raw wood or logs can.

Allowable firewood

Firewood logs are allowed on state properties only if the wood was harvested in Wisconsin and within 50 miles of the campground where it will be burned, and NOT from, harvested or stored in, or transported through a quarantined county.

In-state, 50-mile rule applies

Minimally processed wood such as full or partial pallets, skids, or slabs are still prohibited from entering state properties under the DNR rule and will be confiscated if the wood was harvested beyond 50 miles from the campground or from out-of-state, or was harvested, stored or transported through a quarantined county within Wisconsin. Pallets and slabs are cut wood, but they can be fresh enough or have enough attached bark that they can harbor pests or diseases.

Prohibited

Please know that toxins are released when wood that is painted, treated with preservatives, or made up of a composite of wood and glue such as chipboard and plywood is burned and this is a serious health hazard. This type of wood will not be allowed to be burned on DNR property.

Cannot burn

How Does the DNR Firewood Rule Affect My Camping Trip?

Across Wisconsin, campers are encouraged to take some simple steps to help ensure the healthy future of the state’s parks, forests, and trees.

1. Leave firewood at home and purchase aged firewood near or within your campground. Most parks offer quality firewood for sale at a reasonable price by the park’s friends group. If you choose to purchase firewood within these parks, know that proceeds return to the park’s budget and pay for things like educational programs, buildings and picnic shelters, seasonal naturalists and needed equipment. Private sellers often have firewood available for sale just outside of the park as well. For firewood availability at your destination, contact the park directly.
2. Firewood purchased at or near your destination should be used during your camping vacation. Do not leave any unused wood behind and do not take it with you to another destination.
3. When buying firewood, make sure you receive pieces that are dry and have either no bark or bark that is loose (a sign that the wood is very dry). Not only will this reduce the threat of spreading diseases, your fire will be easier to start.
4. Reduce your need for open fire by cooking over gas or charcoal. Instead of an evening campfire, explore new night-time activities like star-gazing or viewing wildlife by flashlight.

If you are a camper from outside of Wisconsin, please do not bring firewood with you. It will be confiscated and if the wood is from a quarantined area, you could be violating a federal law that forbids moving wood of any kind out of your state or county of residence. Be aware, if you transport firewood from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, or lower Michigan, you can be liable for federal fines up to $1,000.00.

If you are a camper from Wisconsin, please do not bring firewood that has been stored, purchased, harvested, or moved through (with stops longer than necessary to re-fuel your vehicle) Ozaukee, Washington, Fond du Lac, or Sheboygan Counties to properties outside of those counties. It will be confiscated and you would be violating state law. If you are bringing firewood from elsewhere in Wisconsin, please only use firewood from a Wisconsin source within 50 miles of where you will use it. Ideally, purchase firewood from within the campground where you are staying, as that wood is often cut on site and sold by groups who reinvest earnings in the same park. If you purchase your firewood outside of the park but within a non-quarantined area of Wisconsin, near the campground you are visiting, please have a receipt ready to show proof of that purchase.

You can buy firewood in, or just outside of, almost every Wisconsin State Park. The only places where it is not available are:

• Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest
• Newport State Park
• The “flowage” properties (Chippewa Flowage, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area, Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, and the Menomonee River Natural Resources Area).

If visiting these areas, you will find firewood available locally – either for sale in nearby communities, or on the property as dead, dry wood.