Maryland

Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a firewood policy that prohibits the entry of visitors’ personal firewood into all parks and properties managed by the state. Firewood must instead be purchased from the State Park, State Forest, or Wildlife Management Area that you’re visiting – or from firewood vendors near the campsite. This policy is in place to protect Maryland’s forests from highly destructive tree pests like emerald ash borer and pine shoot beetle which can spread to new areas when people travel with firewood.

Current pest infestations have led to additional restrictions on the transport of firewood out of Maryland as well as the movement of firewood within the state. For example, Maryland’s Department of Agriculture prohibits the movement of firewood out of several counties in order to prevent the further spread of thousand cankers disease of walnut and spotted lanternfly. Anyone wishing to move firewood out of an area infested with spotted lanternfly needs to complete this checklist.

Many campgrounds in Maryland have their own restrictions on firewood. For example, the Maryland Association of Campgrounds does not allow outside firewood at any of their affiliated campsites. Similarly, National Parks in Maryland either prohibit all outside firewood (e.g., Catoctin Mountain Park) or require firewood be bought in-state and within 50 miles of their campgrounds (e.g., Assateague Island National Seashore).

To protect the forests of Maryland and beyond, avoid traveling with firewood; instead, buy it where you burn it.

This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 17 July 2024.

Maryland Web Resources:

Pest Specific Information

 

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