MICHIGAN — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is inviting Michigan stakeholders to provide comments on a proposed firewood quarantine, according to a press release on Friday.

MDARD said in the release that the proposed quarantine would restrict the movement of firewood originating outside the state of Michigan to help prevent the introduction and spread of over 140 plant pests and diseases that can hitch a ride on untreated firewood. These plant pests and diseases include Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt, beech bark disease, and spotted lanternfly, which are pests that pose a serious threat to Michigan’s forests, agriculture, and tourism industries.

Stakeholders can provide comments through an online survey at michigan.gov/invasives/news/2026/01/09/proposed-exterior-firewood-quarantine. All comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, Feb. 9.

According to the release, MDARD is proposing the quarantine because the movement of untreated firewood is “one of the leading causes of new infestations of invasive forest pests.”

“Unlike nursery stock and other high-risk commodities, firewood is not routinely inspected, making it a significant pathway for pest introduction,” MDARD stated. “Once established, these pests are difficult and costly to eradicate. Moreover, they can cause significant long-term economic and environmental damage. Michigan’s forests and natural resources are vital to the state’s economy and quality of life.”

MDARD’s proposed firewood quarantine aims to reduce the risk of pest introduction by:

— Restricting the movement into Michigan of firewood from other states.

— Requiring treatment and certification for firewood entering the state.

— Establishing clear compliance and enforcement measures.

According to MDARD, firewood entering the United States from other countries is already regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Imported wood of any kind must meet treatment standards, typically heat treatment to eliminate pests, and be accompanied by proper certification at the federal level. Likewise, MDARD explained that interstate movement of firewood is subject to a patchwork of state and federal regulations, especially in areas with active quarantines for pests like the spotted lanternfly or spongy moth. However, there is no single federal quarantine that covers all firewood movement across the United States.

The department said that the proposed Exterior Firewood Quarantine would regulate the movement of firewood into Michigan to prevent the introduction of over 140 plant pests and diseases. The quarantine would apply to all firewood from outside Michigan, regardless of species or origin.

Exemptions include:

— Kiln-dried dimensional lumber.

— Wood chips no larger than 1 inch in any two dimensions.

— Logs or wood destined for immediate processing at sawmills, veneer mills, pulp/paper mills, pellet manufacturers, power plants, composite wood facilities, and wood already processed before entering Michigan.

This quarantine also does not apply to fuelwood, which is locally sourced, from downed wood, used for personal home use, or not intended for resale.