Wisconsin Firewood Quarantine!

[MrsMik]

The gypsy moth is a serious threat to our economy, environment and health. At dense populations, gypsy moth caterpillars may eat all the leaves off trees and shrubs. After severe defoliations,, trees may be so weak that other pests and diseases kill them. As I receive more information from the Wisconisn Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection, I will post it.

The graph below shows the counties where wood can and cannot be moved in Wisconsin. We are right in the corner of Marathon, Clark and Taylor counties and need to be careful where we move wood to and from. If the wood has been inspected and is deemed free of gypsy moths, then it can be moved. Greg and I are talking with the Dept. about being "trained" to inspect firewood so we can help out folks in the area who are going camping and bringing firewood along with them.



Julie

P.S., Mod, can this be placed as a "sticky"? I think this is VERY important information for anyone traveling around our state, and unfortunately, folks have heard "something" but don't know what the rules are, etc. Thanks!

[AlumniClub]

Excellent Post!!!!

This should information should be placed at all campgrounds and firewood outlets as a FYI.

Thank you!


PS... I also made it a sticky as requested .

[j10asen]

I have posted this on camping forums and thought I should post it here as well. Some have said the cat is out of the bag and it can not be stopped but to me that is like saying the trees are already burning, how will it help to stop it now?

I think the key statement is 50 mile radius from the campground.
I also think it is a shame that is infestation was caused by foreign imported goods.

I wrote a letter to the Wisconsin DNR and they responded very quickly. I am not sure how they will determine if you carried your wood from further than 50 miles, it must be the honor system but that is the rule. I also inquired about skid/crating wood. You will see that response below, but I think that is the key to this emerald ash issue. They are not necessarily natives of our area but something that came in from other countries via shipping crates/pallets etc. I am not sure there is any controll of what is brought into our country but there should be!!!!!!
This also makes sense in that the emerald ash borer showed up in lower Michigan before it did in Wisconsin as they must be one of the largest importers of foreign made auto parts.
So here is the letter , now it is up to us to stop the contamination of our State and local parks by following the rules.
I sure would hate to see us lose any because of sneaking firewood.

Hello Mr. Toennessen,
Wood pallets and other crating is treated as firewood - not allowed if it originates more than 50 miles from the campground where you plan to camp. Pallets and crates are how it is believed that the Emerald Ash Borer arrived in the United States.
Kiln-dried dimensional lumber is allowed. I am not familiar with the wax-coated kindling, but I suspect that it is OK to use since it will not have bark on it and be smaller in size than normal firewood and the wax may suffocate pests anyway. Please plan on using the wax-coated kindling unless you hear differently.
Thanks for checking ahead of time !
Bruce Chevis
Wisconsin State Parks.

[Kris10]

Here is the DNR's page on the Wisconsin firewood rules:

dnr.wi.gov/invasives/firewood/

I've been searching online, trying to find a source near Wisconsin Dells to get firewood for our camping trip. Not much luck! If you know of a Dells-area firewood supplier with reasonable prices, can you post their info here? We'll need more than just a small bundle!

In fact, feel free to post any firewood finds here! Places to avoid would helpful too. I'm sure a lot of campers will be in the same predicament!

[j10asen]

Originally Posted by Kris10

Here is the DNR's page on the Wisconsin firewood rules:

dnr.wi.gov/invasives/firewood/

I've been searching online, trying to find a source near Wisconsin Dells to get firewood for our camping trip. Not much luck! If you know of a Dells-area firewood supplier with reasonable prices, can you post their info here? We'll need more than just a small bundle!

In fact, feel free to post any firewood finds here! Places to avoid would helpful too. I'm sure a lot of campers will be in the same predicament!

Kris10
I would suggest that you call the Private campground because I believe the firewood rule only applies to state and national parks. I think it could be very difficult to control any other places because of how much wood is transported for use in paper making,plywwood,lumber etc. in this state.

[Kris10]

Originally Posted by j10asen

I would suggest that you call the Private campground because I believe the firewood rule only applies to state and national parks.

It does apply to private campgrounds, or at least the campgrounds I've been staying at are abiding by it. It makes sense that campgrounds owners want to protect their trees.

[Kris10]

We passed a good source on our way to The Original Dells Experience Jet Boats in the Dells... $6 per bushel. The wood was being sold at a house on 60th Street just before you reach the ticket office.

Directions to the jet boat ticket office can be found here.

[j10asen]

Over the weekend I camped at Kohler-Andrae State Park. When we registered the park employees inquired as to whether we brought firewood. Well we live further than 50 miles from this park so we did NOT bring any.
Then, I know I am slow but it just occred to me , the following scenario.

I live within 50 miles of the park. I have land or know someone who does that is located further than 50 miles from my home. Every year we cut chop and split wood for our fireplace / wood burner. So I haul this home from further tahn fity miles away. Then I bring it camping and I am asked where do you live and I tell them and they note that I live well within the 50 mile radius, sure bring in your firewood and use.
Have a good weekend, bu-bye

and the They say the DNR is not so sharp!! How could anyone say that?

I have also heard reports of suppliers deliering firewood to state parks from get this further than 50 miles from the park!! go figure!!!
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm