Out-of-State Firewood Banned from Campgrounds

Bring firewood across state lines into state and national forest campgrounds, and you’ll get a warning or even a fine of up to two thousand dollars.

Wood brought in from out of state could be infested with the invasive Asian longhorned beetle or the emerald ash borer.

Both the state and the U.S. Forest Service are trying to avoid what could be devastating damage from the insects.

Kyle Lombard is an entomologist with the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands.

He says most insects kill only single species.

But the Asian longhorn beetle doesn’t discriminate.

"Asian longhorn beetle feeds on 60 different species. And so when it can feed and kill half of the trees in your state, it becomes a big problem."

Kiln-dried firewood in its original packaging is still allowed, as is any firewood originally from New Hampshire.

For NHPR News, I’m EG.