State officials have announced a new ban on imports of out-of-state, untreated firewood to Michigan, in an effort to protect agriculture, forests and natural resources from invasive insects and plant diseases.
The ban − called a quarantine to comport with Act 189 of 1931, the Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act − was ordered Sept. 17 by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Timothy Boring in consultation with the Michigan Invasive Species Program (MISP), a collaborative statewide initiative that works to prevent the introduction of new non-native species, limit the spread of established populations, respond to early detections, and manage or control invasive pests, plants and pathogens.
The ban takes effect Jan.
1, 2027, and applies to firewood originating outside of Michigan not properly heat-treated and certified by MDARD, another state agriculture department or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"Firewood movement is one of the most common ways invasive pests and diseases can spread to new areas, often without anyone realizing it," Boring said in a statement. "Preventing the introduction of invasive pests is far more effective than trying to manage an established infestation. This new measure is an important step in preventing harmful pests from entering Michigan and protecting our forests, our agricultural resources and the communities, industries and recreational opportunities they support and Michiganders enjoy."
Over 140 plant pests and diseases can be moved with firewood, including Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt, beech bark disease and spotted lanternfly, Boring stated in his order. Many of the invasive species and plant diseases are not known to exist in Michigan or are of limited distribution in the state, he said.
In addition to not applying to certified, heat-treated firewood, Michigan's out-of-state firewood ban also does not apply to kiln-dried dimensional lumber, wood pellets, wood chips no larger than an inch, and raw wood products transported to facilities such as sawmills, pulp and paper mills, biomass facilities and similar operations.
"Firewood poses an elevated risk of spreading invasive diseases because it offers ample opportunity for pests to hide, including under tree park, and because it tends to be left in forested areas or in residential woodpiles for months where insects can emerge and fly to nearby trees," MDARD spokesperson Lynsey Mukomel said. "Wood brought into Michigan for industrial uses tends to be processed immediately upon arrival, which destroys hitchhiking pests before they can spread."
The Michigan firewood quarantine follows the launch of the state's Invasive-Free Firewood Certification Program, a voluntary MISP initiative enabling Michigan producers who properly heat-treat their firewood to apply a "Certified Invasive-Free" seal to their products. Program officials are encouraging those supportive of invasive species prevention measures to look for firewood that carries the new seal.
Michigan joins Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin and other states that allow only certified, heat-treated firewood to cross state lines. Requirements vary by state, and travelers can checkFirewoodScout.orgbefore moving firewood between states.
Under Section 24 of Act 189 of 1931, a violation of any state quarantine rule constitutes a misdemeanor typically involving fines and potential local court sanctions as determined by the state judiciary. But MDARD officials said they will work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to "focus heavily on education and awareness in 2027."
The new rule may be most complicated in Michigan's border areas, where a resident might live only across the street or a few blocks away from another state where they acquire firewood. Mukomel said the agency encourages residents to purchase firewood within 10 miles of where it will be burned, or to purchase properly heat-treated and certified firewood.
Michigan firewood processors who source wood from outside the state are encouraged to contact MDARD.
For more information, visit MDARD's Firewood Quarantine Q&A Page. The Michigan Invasive Species Program will host an informational webinar and question-and-answer session on Michigan's firewood quarantineon Thursday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The webinar will be recorded and accessible on the NotMISpecies webinar web page.
Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan to ban some firewood in effort to keep invasive pests at bay
