Imported Firewood

 Transporting firewood into Idaho…think carefully because it may be infected. Transporting firewood into Idaho…think carefully because it may be infected. Three states in the Pacific Northwest are teaming up to spread the word about the dangers of transporting firewood. The Idaho Invasive Species Council will work with the Oregon and the  State of Washington to launch an outreach and education campaign to inform the public about insect and fungal invasive species and diseases that can be spread by moving firewood.

Celia Gould, director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture says…“Prevention is key to the success of invasive species programs, and that Idaho will be working with the other Pacific Northwest states to encourage people to buy and burn their wood locally. We are striving to prevent the introduction of invasive species like emerald ash borer to the region. These invasive species have decimated forests in the eastern United States and threaten millions of forested acres in Idaho and the West.”

“It’s not the burning the wood per se but actually moving the firewood. It’s the hitchhikers on the wood that are the issue.” That’s Idaho Department of Ag’s Amy Ferriter who’s an invasive species coordinator and she says that a special threat comes from transporting gypsy moths into our state.

People move firewood to camp sites and homes without recognizing the threat it poses as a pathway for the unintentional spread of invasive species. It is well established that firewood is an important pathway for the spread of these forest pests in the United States. A national Web site, http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/, provides excellent information on not moving firewood.