Emerald Ash Borer - Firewood Fact Sheet
The Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Forest Service, MichiganStateUniversity and other state and federal agencies are actively working to contain and halt the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in our state. The movement of hardwood (non-coniferous) firewood has proven to be the source of many infestations throughout the Great Lakes region.
The state's EAB quarantine is designed to prohibit the beetle's exit through defined gateways and contain EAB in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The elements of the quarantine are as follows:
* The current 21-county quarantine of Southeastern Michigan remains in effect, prohibiting the movement of hardwood (non-coniferous) firewood out of these counties: Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne.
* Forty-seven additional counties in the Lower Peninsula are now quarantined as a second level of protection: Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Huron, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, St. Joseph, Tuscola, VanBuren, and Wexford. Movement of hardwood firewood within these 47 counties and into the original 21-county quarantine is allowed, however, firewood movement and other ash materials is not allowed across the Mackinac Bridge, or into Canada or other states.
* This revision is consistent with the federal USDA quarantine, which eliminates the need to establish mini-quarantined areas in the Lower Peninsula, as well as encourages the local use of ash materials.
* MDA's priority is protecting the Upper Peninsula, adjoining states and Canada from EAB. MDA will be focusing response efforts and communications activities in the Upper Peninsula.
Not only does the introduction of EAB severely impact the state's natural beauty, but more stringent fines and penalties make hardwood (non-coniferous) firewood movement a costly mistake. Individuals or businesses found violating the state's EAB quarantine are subject to fines ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years for moving regulated ash materials, including firewood.
Firewood can also transport other invasive pests such as Beech Bark Disease, Asian Longhorned Beetle and Gypsy Moth. Help protect Michigan's natural resources by following these firewood recommendations: Buy firewood when you reach your destination and burn it all on site.
(Rev. December 2006)
