Information about the
Western Pennsylvania Firewood Import/Export Ban
and Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine

The PA Department of Agriculture states:

"One of the easiest ways for exotic invasive pests like Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, Sirex Wood Wasp and Bark Beetles to spread is by people unintentionally moving infested products. To minimize the spread of the pests, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has implemented a quarantine banning the importation of out-of-state firewood."

Under authority of Section 21 of the Plant Pest Act (act of December 16, 1992 P.L. 1228, No. 162)(3 P. S. § 258/21) the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture hereby orders the following:

1. The movement of firewood of all types and species into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is prohibited. Firewood includes all wood, processed or unprocessed, coniferous or hardwood, meant for use in a campfire or other outdoor or indoor fire. Examples of circumstances under which firewood from out-of-state is brought into this Commonwealth include instances where firewood is transported to public and private campgrounds by campers, or to sporting events and other events where travelers camp outdoors, or to activities such as Civil War reenactments where wood is used for cooking and evening campfires; or as bulk firewood sold by the truckload or some other volume of measure (cord, face cord, rick etc.), or as firewood purchased for indoor residential use.
2. Kiln-dried, packaged firewood clearly marked with the producer’s name and address and labeled as “Kiln-Dried” and or USDA Certified are exempt from the provisions of this order.
3. Persons found in violation of this quarantine order will face the penitential of summary criminal prosecution and a fine of not more than $300 for each offense, or a civil penalty of up to $20,000, or both. This quarantine is effective as of July 2, 2007, and shall remain in effect until repealed by subsequent order.

Please note:

• Cooper's Lake Campground is in Butler County, an area affected by the quarantine.

• Plan on purchasing firewood locally, or bringing in only packaged, kiln-dried firewood.

• Any locally-harvested firewood purchased while at Cooper's Lake must be burned in your camp or left behind when you leave.

• This firewood ban does NOT prohibit the transport of processed or treated ash or hardwood products such as scrap lumber, tent poles, bows, camping furniture, and so on.

You can find details of the quarantine at the PA Department of Agriculture's website.