Use local firewood

Use Local Firewood

The beauty and productivity of North Carolina's forests is threatened by non-native plants, animals and diseases that can make it to the state in many ways. One common but often overlooked way that these invasive species make it into the state's parks, forests, and private campgrounds is through the movement of firewood.

Some invasive insects, such as the European gypsy moth can lay eggs on pieces of firewood. Others, such as the emerald ash borer, Sirex woodwasp, the Asian longhorned beetle, redbay ambrosia beetle, walnut twig beetle and common pine shoot beetle spend parts of their life-cycle within wood and can emerge from firewood as adults ready to infest new trees. A few of these insects are associated with devastating tree diseases such as laurel wilt (redbay ambrosia beetle) and thousand cankers disease (walnut twig beetle).

You can help prevent the spread of these dangerous invasive species by using local firewood. A good rule of thumb is to burn wood within a 50 mile radius of its origin. Additionally, you should not bring firewood into North Carolina from another state unless it has been treated to kill pests, and / or inspected or certified as pest free. If firewood has inadvertently been brought into the state, or has been moved long distances within the state, make sure it is burned as soon as possible. Never leave unused firewood behind at the burn site.

The use of local firewood is an important factor in preventing the spread of potentially devastating invasive species to our state's forests. Please keep this in mind as you prepare for your outdoor recreation activities: The health of our forests depends on it!

FROM THE DON’T MOVE FIREWOOD WEBSITE:

North Carolina Summary:

North Carolina prohibits the interstate and intrastate (within state) movement of firewood (hardwood, softwood, seasoned and green) from federal and state quarantined areas to prevent the spread of invasive forest pest species. Pests targeted in North Carolina’s quarantined areas include – but are not limited to – European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis), and the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). Firewood cannot be brought from a quarantined county into an unquarantined county within the state of North Carolina. Great Smoky Mountain National Park prohibits untreated firewood from entering the park. The Blue Ridge Parkway requires firewood to be bundled and certified if brought into the park, or campers may also collect dead and down wood from within the park. Regardless of your area’s quarantine status, the state of North Carolina urges users of firewood to purchase and use locally. All these measures are designed to prevent the introduction and/or spread of invasive forest pest species within North Carolina and neighboring states. This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 8 January 2018

Please respect our great forests and buy/burn locally. We all have to work together to protect them or they will not be here for future generations to enjoy. Call the campground with any questions.
~ Kenny & Marla