Temperatures are warming up in time for Memorial Day and Millions of Americans are expected to take to the streets to travel during the holiday weekend.

But for those traveling in Michigan, especially those planning on camping, environmental experts urge people to leave the firewood at home.

The firewood that you have stored in your yard is likely to be home to a lot of insects – and some of them could pose serious threats to trees and vegetation. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking people to leave their firewood at home when traveling so as not to transport and spread tree-killing insects or diseases.

“If you move firewood, when you camp, hunt or go on a weekend trip, you risk carrying tree-killing insects and diseases into the firewood,” a DNR press release said on Wednesday. “Insects can creep out, infest trees, and transmit diseases that can forever change the landscape of the places you love.”

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The emerald green ash bur is cited as a well-known example by the DNR: In the early 2000s, the insect spread throughout Michigan, killing many of the state’s 700 million ash trees. Officials say firewood can carry more than 140 pests and diseases in Michigan. Some insects and diseases like the Asian longhorn beetle, beech leaf disease, and the spotted lantern fly are reportedly infesting nearby states, and officials fear they may find their way into Michigan.

“These insects and diseases can’t travel very far on their own, but they can travel hundreds of miles on firewood,” said Sue Tangora, Michigan director of forest health and collaborative programs, DNR. “Trees cut for firewood often died of insects or disease. Why would you risk bringing oak wilt to your cabin or beech bark disease to your favorite campsite? “

Here are some tips from the Michigan DNR for keeping a campfire safe:

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  • Wood that looks clean and healthy may still contain tiny insect eggs or microscopic fungal spores that can trigger new and deadly infestations. Always leave your firewood at home in the garden, even if you think it looks nice.

  • Buy firewood near where you will burn it – a good rule of thumb is to only use wood that has been cut within 50 miles of the location of the fire.

  • To use FirewoodScout.org to find a firewood dealer near you. With over 350 Michigan deals, you can compare the shop before your arrival

  • Certified, heat-treated firewood can be safely transported over long distances. Look for a federal stamp or seal on the packaging and keep the firewood in the original packaging when entering a campsite that requires heat treated wood.

  • Aged or seasoned wood is still not safe. Just because it’s dry doesn’t mean it’s clean. A Recent study showed that insects continued to emerge from firewood even three years after cutting.

  • If you buy firewood and don’t burn it all, you’re not bringing it home or your next destination.

  • Tell your friends not to bring wood – everyone needs to know that they are not allowed to move firewood.

According to the Michigan DNR, visitors to state parks are asked to purchase certified, heat-treated firewood that will be sold in the parks or at local shops and stalls.

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