Have a Good Campfire!

• Firewood
  Other Rules
  Safety

Visiting or singing around a blazing campfire and roasting marshmallows are among the experiences that make for a memorable camping trip.

Be sure to build your campfire in a way that does not endanger you or the surrounding forest.

Firewood Rules

Emerald ash borers are insects which have killed more than 8 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Firewood is generally recognized as a major source of new emerald ash borer infestations far from where they were.

In an effort to stem the spread of this pest, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has approved a rule prohibiting visitors from bringing firewood from anywhere more than 50 miles away or from outside the state into Wisconsin state parks and forests and other DNR lands. Dimensional lumber such as two-by-fours or two-by-tens that have been dried in moisture- and temperature-controlled kilns is exempt from the rule.

Under federal law, there's a $500 fine for moving hardwood firewood from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, or lower Michigan. Fines are higher for repeated or commercial violations.

Map of quarantined areas [PDF, 1.2MB]

If you bring your own wood from nearby, bring only what you'll use.

You can buy locally-grown firewood in or near most state park and forest campgrounds. For more information, see firewood and invasive species or ask the park or forest office.

Other Campfire Rules

In Wisconsin state parks and forests, fires are allowed in authorized fireplaces or rings only. Do not leave fires unattended; extinguish all fires before leaving the campsite. Burning of household refuse is prohibited.

Campfire Safety

Don't become complacent about fire. Watch children very closely when near a fire. When setting up to use an area, become aware of the location of the fire ring.

Watch the wind direction to ensure sparks aren't getting on flammable materials. Put the fire out if wind changes begin to cause concern. Don't remove hot materials from the fire ring or grill. Make sure the fire is out and the grill or fire ring cool before leaving the area. If using your own grill, place the coals in an available park or forest grill or fire ring or at designated disposal sites.