Harmful tree pests that spread on firewood like spongy moth, Asian long-horned beetle, and emerald ash borer could cause irreversible damage if introduced in Montana. As a result, it is against state and/or federal law to bring untreated firewood into Montana from most out-of-state sources. Additionally, Montana authorities provide the following firewood recommendations for to prevent the spread of damaging forest pests:
- Do not move firewood across state lines
- Buy it where you burn it, both for home heating and camping
- Make sure your firewood comes from within 50 miles (ideally within 10 miles)
- Make sure your firewood is heat-treated or certified pest-free
- Do not assume that firewood is safe to transport even if it does not have any signs of infestation
Parks and campgrounds often have additional rules on firewood. Montana’s State Parks strongly encourages visitors to leave firewood at home and instead buy firewood at or near their campground. Firewood is also available at most camp stores within or near many National Park campsites in Montana (e.g., Glacier NP). Be sure to find out the rules at your destination before bringing firewood.
Bringing firewood from Canada into the USA is prohibited unless the firewood is labeled and certified heat-treated. Read about these requirements on the USDA and CBP firewood information sheet.
Bringing firewood from the USA into Canada is prohibited unless the firewood is labeled and certified heat-treated. Canada also encourages visitors to use local firewood through their campaign buylocalburnlocal.ca.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 29 July 2024.
Montana Web Resources:
- Montana DNRC Don’t Move Firewood information
- Forest Pest Management, MT DNRC
- Montana Invasive Species Council
- Missoula Montana KOA: Campfires and Firewood
- University of Montana Pest Diagnostics Lab
Pest Specific Information
- Asian longhorned beetle information, MT field guides
- Asian longhorned beetle information and quarantines, USDA APHIS
- Emerald Ash Borer Fact Sheet, Montana State University
- Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine in Montana
- Spongy Moth Federal Quarantine Area Map
- Forest Pest Field Guides in Montana
Do you have more links for Montana? Help us out by clicking on the Submit A Link ribbon below.