HARRISBURG, Pa. — Out-of-state firewood producers now have two additional treatment options for exempting their firewood products from a quarantine meant to keep harmful invasive species from entering Pennsylvania: heat treatment and fumigation.
The 2007 firewood quarantine was issued to prevent the spread of exotic invasive species like the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, Sirex woodwasp and bark beetles that have entered the U.S.
Policy
Under the firewood quarantine, the commonwealth prohibits moving any type or species of firewood into Pennsylvania. Firewood includes all processed or unprocessed, coniferous or hardwood products meant for use in a campfire or other outdoor or indoor fire.
Initially, firewood marked “kiln-dried” and/or “USDA Certified” was the only exempt firewood. The addition of heat-treated and fumigated firewood provides more options for campers and producers.
Additionally
The exemptions also apply to a separate quarantine that bans the movement of all non-coniferous firewood from within the 11 counties confirmed to have the emerald ash borer: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana, Juniata, Lawrence, Mercer, Mifflin, Washington and Westmoreland.
For more information about the quarantine, call 717-772-5205.
