justnorth posted on June 25, 2007 12:30 :: 1594 Views
People camping at Wisconsin State Parks and Forests are allowed to bring scrap lumber such as 2x4s and 2x6s, with some exceptions, for campfires, according to state forestry officials.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources put a new firewood rule in place this year aimed at reducing the risk of people inadvertently bringing emerald ash borer or other invasive forest pests to parks or forests in the firewood they bring along for campfires. Under the rule, firewood may not be brought in from more than 50 miles away from the park or forest, or from out of state.
“During the first several weeks of camping season, we found that the use of lumber scraps as firewood is more common than we realized,” says Andrea Diss-Torrance, DNR forest health specialist. “The forest health group has determined that dimensional lumber scraps are of low risk in transmitting pests and diseases that attack live trees, so we are adding a note to distinguish them from minimally processed wood that does pose a threat.”
Dimensional lumber is milled lumber -- such as 2x4s and 2x6s -- that is dried and bark free. Lumber is fully dried and debarked before it can be used in building, which means it cannot harbor pests and diseases of living trees like raw wood or logs can.
“Campers should be aware that minimally processed wood such as pallets, skids, or slabs are still prohibited from entering state properties and will be confiscated if the wood was harvested beyond 50 miles from the campground or from out-of-state,” says Diss-Torrance. Pallets and slabs are cut wood, but they can be fresh enough or have enough attached bark that they can harbor pests or diseases.
In addition, it is against state air quality rules to burn wood that is painted, treated with preservatives, or that is made up of a composite of wood and glue.
“Emerald ash borer and other invasive pests most likely entered this country in pallets or other minimally processed packing material,” says Diss-Torrance.
Wood that is rough-cut, has bark attached, and/or is not completely dried is also prohibited unless harvested within 50 miles of the state area it will be used on and from within the state.
Painted, preservative-treated, or laminated lumber, and chip-board or other re-constituted wood that contains adhesives should not be burned. Toxins are released when such wood is burned and are a serious health hazard. Campers should bring these types of wood back home and dispose of it at a landfill.
More information and details on acceptable processed wood can be found on the firewood rules and advice page of the DNR Web site or on the firewood information line 1-877-303-9663.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Cummings Carlson, DNR Forest Health Program Coordinator - (608) 275-3273.
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