Bringing your own supply of firewood to the park this summer?
Please read this.
Firewood often contains insects and plant diseases. Campers who bring firewood from home may accidentally spread those diseases that threaten Ontario's provincial parks and the health of our forests.
The Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer are of particular concern. They are both recent arrivals to Canada and without natural controls here.
While the emerald ash borer is currently believed to be confined to southwestern Ontario and southeast Michigan, where it has killed millions of ash trees, the movement of firewood has been the main culprit in its rapid spread in both the U.S. and Canada over the past year. As a result, a quarantine has been imposed which prohibits the movement of firewood from Essex, Middlesex, Lambton and Elgin Counties, the municipality of Chatham-Kent and the U.S.A.
New: Norfolk County and the City of Toronto were regulated in 2008
The Asian longhorned beetle has been found attacking hardwood trees between Vaughan and Toronto. Both insects can be easily spread in firewood, which may look normal, but still be infested with the insects.
How you can help:
- Do not move firewood, especially firewood obtained from areas under quarantine such as Essex County and the U.S.
- Buy firewood from the area you're visiting.
- Ask your supplier where their wood comes from.
- If you have questions, check with park staff, call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or go to www.inspection.gc.ca
Asian Long-horned beetle - pdf
Emeral Ash Borer - pdf
Last Modified: June 17, 2008
Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2008
