RHINELANDER - The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is tightening restrictions on firewood.

The full press release issued Monday is below:
In response to the spread of the non-native invasive emerald ash borer (EAB), a beetle killing ash trees, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) has issued a revised emergency firewood closure order.

In response to the threat of EAB reaching the CNNF, the Forest is tightening restrictions on
the movement of firewood. The revised restriction prohibits the possession, storage, or
transportation of firewood originating from a distance of more than 25 miles into the Forest
(unless certified), as well as any firewood from a federal or state quarantined county or
area.

Firewood that is acceptable to bring into the CNNF is firewood gathered from the Forest
with a valid permit or camping receipt; firewood purchased from a vendor within 25 miles
or brought from a residence within that same distance; firewood certified by the Wisconsin
Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection this certified wood
can be brought from a distance of more than 25 miles; or kiln-dried, untreated, unpainted,
unstained constructional/dimensional lumber free of any metal or foreign substance.

Firewood is defined as any part or portion of a tree that has been cut and removed from its
original location and is to be used as fuel for heating, cooking, or viewing in an open pit,
grill, fireplace, or stove.

Forest Supervisor Jeanne Higgins emphasized the importance of this action, "We are issuing this revised emergency closure order to slow the spread of EAB into non-infested
areas of the National Forest. Although we feel this will help slow the spread, the best way
people can help is by not moving firewood."

The CNNF has 41,000 acres of lowland ash dominated forest. In addition, there is another
243,000 acres of upland forest that has ash as a component in a mixed hardwood setting.

For the past several years EAB has been making a deadly migration through the Eastern
U.S. and Canada. Originally discovered in southeastern Michigan in 2002,EAB has now
been detected in numerous states including Wisconsin. In July 2009, a confirmed adult
EAB beetle was discovered on public land in Green Bay.


Related Weblinks: U.S. Forest Service