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Home » Plant Industry Division » Utah Firewood Quarantine

Utah Firewood Quarantine

Contact: Mark Hillier 435-230-3584

The Utah Firewood Quarantine (UT Administrative Code R68-23) was put into effect in 2017. The purpose of this rule is to prevent the artificial spread of invasive insect pests that can be transported by firewood. Pests that can be moved by firewood include, but are not limited to, Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar). These pests present a significant threat to the state’s agricultural systems and natural resources.


Quarantine Requirements:

Emerald Ash Borer

Importation of firewood from quarantined areas of the United States (U.S.) and Canada is prohibited into Utah unless the shipment is heat-treated or meets other precautionary rules set by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF). Importations from quarantined areas must include certification from an authorized state agricultural official of the state of origin. This certification must specify that the shipment has met Utah’s heat treatment requirements or be in compliance with other state standards. Contact the state department of agriculture from the area of origin to obtain a certificate.

Buy it Where You Burn it:

Buying local firewood is the simplest way to ensure that no invasive pests will be transmitted to the state. Check the label on the firewood to see where it originated. If it was harvested in Utah, the product meets the quarantine. Firewood harvested from out-of-state quarantined areas is acceptable if the label states that it has been heat treated. Call UDAF at 801-982-2220  if firewood for sale is not labeled.

Gypsy Moth

Best Practices for Firewood Collection and Purchasing:

  • Felled trees on personal property can be used as firewood, but it is not a good idea to move it far from where it is collected.
  • As a general rule, collecting and moving firewood more than 50 miles is too far. The ideal distance to transport firewood is less than 10 miles.
  • Personally collected firewood should not be transported across state lines, even if it is from a non-quarantined area.
  • Look on the label to see where it is from. Wood harvested in Utah is best; out-of-state wood that indicates compliance with state rules is acceptable.
  • Compressed wood, pellets and “fake logs” do not harbor insect pests and are generally good alternatives if local firewood cannot be found.
  • Packaged heat-treated firewood with a USDA-APHIS or state of origin compliance sticker may be moved across state lines.

FAQs:

Asian Longhorn Beetle

If there doesn’t appear to be any signs of insects in the wood, does the quarantine still apply?

Yes, the quarantine applies regardless of the condition of the wood. Insect eggs can be smaller than the head of a pin and not easily detected. Firewood from a quarantined area is assumed to be infested unless it is subjected to a certified heat-treatment process.

Is firewood harvested within the State of Utah subject to the quarantine?

No counties within the state have been quarantined; therefore firewood may be sold and transported freely within the state and without certification.

What areas of the U.S. and Canada are quarantined by the State of Utah?

All areas declared to be high risk by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or UDAF are subject to the quarantine. A list of these areas is not provided here because new areas are constantly being infested and added to the quarantine.

Call UDAF at 801-982-2311 to find out if a specific location is covered by the quarantine before importing wood into the state.

What if I was unaware of these rules and already moved firewood into the state from a quarantined area?

It is important that all of the imported firewood is burned immediately and safely. Make sure to collect all pieces of wood and rake up any dropped leaves, bark, twigs or other debris and burn them as well. It is imperative that the wood is not left behind or returned to where it was from.