Protect Maine's Forests - Buy Local Firewood

On August 31, 2010 the Director of the Division of Forestry, pursuant to the authority granted by 12 M.R.S. § 8305 (as amended by PL 2009, Ch. 585), issued the initial Emergency Order regulating import of firewood. That initial Order, which was slated to expire after 120 days, has been subsequently reissued. Where the final regulations have not yet been put in place, in order to protect Maine’s forest resources and wildlife from the introduction and spread of these destructive insect pests, the Director of the Division of Forestry must take immediate action and hereby reissues and amends the Emergency Order pursuant to the authority granted by 12 M.R.S. § 8305 (as amended by PL 2009, Ch. 585).

• Firewood Emergency Order
• Frequently Asked Questions

Download image as a PDF (33.1MB)

Exotic insects and diseases that pose a serious threat to our forests can move on firewood. Insects and diseases can be in, on or under the bark of firewood or even within the wood itself. You often cannot see that pests are there. While an invasive pest may spread a few miles on its own in a single year, moving infested wood can spread the same pest hundreds of miles in a single day! Untreated firewood from outside of Maine has been banned.

Some examples of pests that are spread by moving firewood include tree killing wood borers and bark beetles like emerald ash borer, southern pine beetle and Asian longhorned beetle, surface-hitchhikers like browntail moth, spongy moth and spotted lanternfly, and deadly diseases like oak wilt and Dutch elm disease.

• Do not bring firewood from outside the state of Maine. Even within Maine, leave your firewood at home.
• Buy local Maine firewood or certified heat treated wood! Find local source near where you camp.
  • Find a supplier of Firewood in Maine. Maine and several other states use Firewood Scout to help travelers find sources of firewood near their destination. Also, many people sell campfire wood along Maine’s roadways, especially close to campgrounds and parks.
  • What is local? Generally, when it comes to untreated firewood, 50 miles is too far, and 10 miles or less is best.
• If you’ve already transported firewood, don’t leave it or bring it home – burn it!
  • Be sure to also burn any small pieces of bark and debris that have fallen from the wood.
  • If you can't burn it all within 24 hours, follow directions below for firewood disposal and drop-off listed below. 

Suspect illegal firewood movement?

• You can report your concerns regarding firewood to the Maine Forest Service by phone at 1-800-750-9777 or by contacting the nearest dispatch center to be put in touch with a Maine Forest Ranger.

  *Tip: Program these into your cell phone contacts so they are at your fingertips.

  • Southern Maine Dispatch 1-800-452-4664
  • Central Maine Dispatch 1-800-432-7381
  • Northern Maine Dispatch 1-800-924-2261

The next time you head out to camp, fish, ski, canoe, kayak, four-wheel, snowmobile and otherwise enjoy the outdoors, follow these firewood tips.

• Leave firewood at home.
• Buy firewood as close to your destination as possible.
  • Purchasing certified firewood is the best choice. Buy firewood with a state seal stating the wood has been heat-treated to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 75 minutes to make sure it is pest free.
  • If certified firewood is not available, purchase your firewood as close as possible to where you will burn it.
  • At some sites, you may be able to gather firewood on or near the site. Check local rules.
• If you’ve already transported firewood, don’t leave it or bring it home – burn it!
• Be sure to also burn any small pieces of bark and debris that have fallen from the wood.
• If you can't burn it all within 24 hours, follow directions below for firewood disposal and drop-off listed below.
• If the wood you find locally is not heat-treated and you don't burn it all, don't take it home with you or to your next destination.

If you have transported firewood and cannot burn it all within 24 hours reach out to the nearest dispatch center and ask to be put in touch with a Maine Forest Ranger.

• Southern Maine (800) 452-4664
• Central Maine (800) 432-7381
• Northern Maine (800) 924-2261