The movement of firewood in Ohio is regulated by both state and federal authorities due to multiple tree pest infestations. For example, regulations prohibit the movement of firewood out of several areas in Clermont county due to an infestation of Asian longhorned beetle. Additionally, it is against the law to take firewood out of any area infested with the spongy moth; this includes 51 counties in Ohio. Finally, under Ohio law, anyone leaving an area infested with spotted lanternfly must fill out this checklist to ensure they don’t spread this harmful pest.
Campgrounds in National Forests and State Parks often have additional restrictions on the use and movement of firewood. For example:
- Agency officials in Ohio ask that you DO NOT bring your own firewood when visiting parks in Ohio. Firewood is offered for sale at most Ohio State Parks or otherwise available from local private vendors near each park.
- Wayne National Forest only allows firewood that is commercially packaged with a USDA label to be brought into campgrounds. Otherwise firewood should be purchased at the campground or collected from the ground where permitted.
To help prevent the spread of harmful forest pests in the state, avoid traveling with firewood; instead, buy local and burn local.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 18 July 2024.
Ohio Web Resources:
- Forest Health, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
- Invasive Insects, Ohio Department of Agriculture
- Tips for Purchasing Firewood, Ohio Department of Agriculture
Pest Specific Information
- Asian longhorned beetle Information, Ohio Department of Agriculture
- Asian longhorned beetle national information, USDA APHIS
- “ODA & USDA Declare a Portion of East Fork State Park Removed from Asian Longhorned Beetle Quarantine” April 2022 press release
- Spongy moth, Ohio Department of Agriculture
- Spongy Moth Federal Quarantine Map
- Spotted Lanternfly Information and Quarantine in Ohio
- Report Sightings of Spotted Lanternfly in Ohio
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