Georgians Reminded to Limit Movement of Firewood

Courtesy Georgia Department of Agriculture press office 

As the temperatures continue to drop, Georgians are using increasing amounts of firewood in fireplaces, wooden heaters and campfires. The Department would like to remind consumers to limit the movement of firewood due to potential pest and disease infestation.

Firewood can transport many invasive pests, including the emerald ash borer, Sirex woodwasp, Asian long-horned beetle and gypsy moth as well as diseases such as beech bark disease, sudden oak death and oak wilt. Infested trees can be cut, split into firewood and sent to other parts of Georgia and the US, thereby expanding the range of these pests.

Campers, hunters and others also move firewood, often hundreds of miles, before their stash is burned. Given time and right temperatures, these insect pests can leave the firewood and infest new areas before the wood is burned in a campfire. 

Due to this pest movement, several states passed regulations and quarantines on firewood. In order to prevent and control the movement of these invasive pests, it is important to follow a few simple rules when handling firewood:

• Wait to buy firewood when you reach your destination.
• Use firewood from the area where you plan to burn it.
• Do not leave any unused firewood behind.

For more information on the pest and firewood movement, please contact the Mike Evans in the Plant Protection Division at 404-586-1140.