Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Firewood Restrictions

Wisconsin has developed a number of requirements pertaining to the movement of firewood coming into the state and the movement of firewood within the state’s borders. This is to limit the spread or introduction of invasive insects and diseases that are easily transported on firewood including emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, or oak wilt.

Going Camping?

If you are planning to camp in Wisconsin, we ask that you pack your marshmallows and not firewood. In other words, leave your firewood at home and buy it where you will burn it.

• State parks and state managed lands

  DNR has developed a rule that prohibits visitors from bringing firewood into Wisconsin State Parks and onto other state-managed lands from locations farther than 25 miles away. For more information on the DNR firewood rule visit the DNR Web site or contact the Firewood Hotline at 1-877-303-WOOD. The exception to this firewood rule is if the firewood is obtained from a certified firewood dealer. (PDF) 
  
  The list of certified firewood dealers is current as of May 2012.
  
  
• Counties and Cities with Firewood Restrictions

  A number of campgrounds managed at the local or county level have firewood restrictions in place. Please check with your campground manager for specific information.

• National Forests If you plan to camp in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the USDA Forest Service has placed restrictions on out of state firewood. On August 31, 2009, officials with the national forest further restricted the movement of firewood and will not allow visitors to bring in firewood gathered more than 25 miles from the northern Wisconsin forest unless the firewood is certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Chequamegon-Nicolet Closure Order (further firewood restrictions) - 2 page PDF, August 2009

Chequamegon-Nicolet Firewood Restriction News Release – 1 page PDF

• Private property

  If you are going to your own cabin, or camp ground or that of a friend or family, leave your firewood at home. Transporting firewood from a county quarantined for gypsy moth is illegal unless inspected and certified to be free of gypsy moth life stages. Again, buy it where you will burn it or purchase from a certified firewood dealer. (PDF)

• Private campgrounds

  Check with the campground ahead of time. They may have firewood restrictions or you may be able to buy wood at the campground. Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners

Buying Firewood?

Wisconsin Firewood Dealers

Once the Department of Natural Resources developed a rule that prohibits visitors from bringing firewood into Wisconsin State Parks and onto other state-managed lands from locations farther than 25 miles away unless the wood is from a certified firewood dealer, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection created a voluntary firewood dealer certification program.

This program ensures that participating firewood dealers takes specific steps to keep harmful invasive insects or diseases out of their wood.

When buying firewood:

• Buy it within 25 miles of the place you will camp or within the county with firewood restrictions, or
• Buy it from a certified firewood dealer, (PDF) or
• Check the label for a certification number issued by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
• Check the store or location for a copy of a certificate issued by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Out of State Firewood

It is illegal to bring firewood into Wisconsin from any other state or location that is under a quarantine for emerald ash borer. These quarantines forbid moving any hardwood firewood unless certified by the USDA. Doing so may result in a $1,000 fine. Please buy your firewood where you intend to burn it.

Questions on firewood? Call Anna Healy, 608-224-4546 or send an email.