Wisconsin has developed a number of requirements pertaining to the movement of firewood coming into the state and the movement of firewood within the state’s borders. This is to limit the spread or introduction of invasive insects and diseases that are easily transported on firewood including emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, or oak wilt.

Going Camping?
If you are planning to camp in Wisconsin, we ask that you pack your marshmallows and not firewood.  In other words, leave your firewood at home and buy it where you will burn it. 

• State parks and state managed lands
  DNR has developed a rule that prohibits visitors from bringing firewood into Wisconsin State Parks and onto other state-managed lands from locations farther than 50 miles away.  For more information on the DNR firewood rule visit the DNR Web site or contact the Firewood Hotline at 1-877-303-WOOD.  The exception to this firewood rule is if the firewood is obtained from a certified firewood dealer. (Excel Spreadsheet), (PDF)
  
  
• Counties and Cities with Firewood Restrictions

  Barron County
  City of Ashland - firewood from outside a 50 mile radius of the city is banned from entering the City of Ashland.
  Clark County - The county requests that no firewood be brought into Clark County from more that 50 miles away; burn all wood and don't leave wood behind.
  Dane County
  Dodge County (PDF)
  Eau Claire County - no firewood can be brought in from a distance greater than 50 miles from the county campgrounds.
  Jackson County
  Marathon County
  Marinette County
  Portage County - Beginning Aug. 1, 2007, only firewood from adjacent counties will be allowed in Portage County campgrounds. The adjacent counties are Adams, Marathon, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood counties. Portage County firewood is also allowed.
  Sauk County
  St. Croix County
  Wood County

• National Forests
  If you plan to camp in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the USDA Forest Service has placed restrictions on out of state firewood. On August 31, 2009, officials with the national forest further restricted the movement of firewood and will not allow visitors to bring in firewood gathered more than 25 miles from the northern Wisconsin forest unless the firewood is certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Chequamegon-Nicolet Closure Order (further firewood restrictions) - 2 page PDF, August 2009

Chequamegon-Nicolet Firewood Restriction News Release – 1 page PDF

• Private property
  If you are going to your own cabin, or camp ground or that of a friend or family, leave your firewood at home.  Transporting firewood from a county quarantined for gypsy moth is illegal unless inspected and certified to be free of gypsy moth life stages. Again, buy it where you will burn it or purchase from a certified firewood dealer. (Excel Spreadsheet), (PDF)

• Private campgrounds
  Check with the campground ahead of time. They may have firewood restrictions or you may be able to buy wood at the campground. Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners

Other States

Minnesota

• In June 2009, Minnesota placed restrictions on firewood used on state lands Under the order, only firewood purchased at a state park or from a Minnesota DNR-approved vendor may be brought onto state land.
• Other Minnesota Firewood Information - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Illinois

• The Illinois Department of Natural Resources does not allow firewood from areas quarantined for Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine, onto IDNR sites.  Press release

Buying Firewood

Wisconsin Firewood Dealers
Once the Department of Natural Resources developed a rule that prohibits visitors from bringing firewood into Wisconsin State Parks and onto other state-managed lands from locations farther than 50 miles away unless the wood is from a certified firewood dealer, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection created a voluntary firewood dealer certification program.

This program ensures that participating firewood dealers takes specific steps to keep harmful invasive insects or diseases out of their wood.

When buying firewood:

• Buy it within 50 miles of the place you will camp or within the county with firewood restrictions, or
• Buy it from a certified dealer (Excel Spreadsheet), (PDF), or
• Check the label for a certification number issued by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
• Check the store or location for a copy of a certificate issued by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Out of State Firewood
It is illegal to bring firewood into Wisconsin from Ohio, Indiana, lower Michigan or Illinois.  These states are under a federal quarantine that forbids moving any hardwood firewood unless certified by the USDA.  Doing so may result in a $1,000 fine. Again, buy your wood where you intend to burn it.

Questions on firewood?  Call Bob Dahl, 608-224-4573 or send an email.