justnorth posted on May 23, 2007 07:02 :: 1675 Views
Memorial Day weekend is coming up and as campers get out to enjoy the great outdoors, state park and forestry officials are reminding all visitors that firewood can transport dangerous pests. They are asking people to avoid moving firewood more than 50 miles or brining it in from out-of-state.
“Spring is the season when many forest pests such as gypsy moth hatch and begin feeding on our trees,” says Andrea Diss-Torrance, forest health specialist with the state Department of Natural Resources. “More importantly, it is the time when pests and diseases such as the emerald ash borer and oak wilt hitch a ride on firewood and are introduced to new areas. Once this happens, the effects can be devastating to the area’s forests and urban trees.”
“Many invasive, destructive pests and diseases can travel on firewood,” Diss-Torrance says. “Unsuspecting campers can introduce these pests to the places and trees they love.”
To help protect beloved state parks and natural areas as well as neighborhood trees, state rules prohibit moving firewood from outside of Wisconsin and from more than 50 miles away into all DNR managed properties including state parks and forests.
The rule means that people who camp this year on state-managed land will need to buy firewood at the campground or from a nearby Wisconsin firewood dealer located less than 50 miles from the campground and within Wisconsin. All other firewood will be confiscated upon entry to the park and destroyed.
“Campers are most likely to obtain safe firewood from within the park, where 60 percent of the concessionaires are park friends groups and most of the wood is obtained from the park itself,” says Bruce Chevis of Wisconsin State Parks. “The state parks have made great improvements in the quality of their firewood and have kept prices reasonable,” he says.
By purchasing within the park, campers not only help protect these areas from invasive pests and diseases, they contribute to the park because the revenue collected by friends groups is used to enhance park programs, shelter buildings, and other services.
Campers can find out about firewood availability by contacting parks and forests directly. A list of contact numbers is posted at wiparks.net.
“The general rule to remember,” Chevis says, “is that once you are within one hour’s drive of your park destination you can start looking for firewood dealers to supply your campfire fuel.”
All of the nearly 25,000 people have already reserved a campsite on DNR property for 2007 will receive a post card reminding them of the firewood rule. Firewood information is also provided twice during the reservation process. A postcard was also sent this month to 44,000 walk-in campers from 2006.
“The idea is to get the word out in as many ways as possible before people plan and pack for their camping trip,” says Diss-Torrance.
Due to the devastation caused in other states by emerald ash borer, Federal quarantines have been placed on firewood from Illinois, lower Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Anyone moving firewood out of these areas is subject to federal fines of up to $1,000.
More information about Emerald Ash Borer, what’s being done, and what people can do to help is available on the [www.emeraldashborer.info] Web site. More information about Wisconsin’s firewood rule is available on the DNR Web site or by calling the firewood hotline at 1-877-303-WOOD (9663).
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Diss-Torrance - (608) 264-9247 or Bruce Chevis - (608) 264-8994
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