LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source – As the summer travel season quickly approaches, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding residents about how they can take care of Michigan’s natural resources.
DNR officials said when people move firewood when camping, hunting, or heading out for a weekend getaway, they run the risk of carrying tree-killing insects and diseases to new places. Invasive pests can crawl out, infesting trees and carrying diseases that can forever change the landscape of the area.
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The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) reports there are 140 pests and diseases that can be moved with firewood. Some, like oak wilt, hemlock woolly adelgid and spotted lanternfly are already present in Michigan, while others such as Asian longhorned beetle are infesting nearby states.
In addition, DNR officials recommend buying firewood near where it will be burned. That normally amounts to using wood cut within 50 miles of where you’ll have your fire. Remind others not to bring wood with them since everyone needs to know firewood should not be moved.
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