A single piece of firewood can destroy millions of trees.
Throwing a few pieces of firewood into the trunk of the car before a camping trip might seem like a good way to plan ahead, but those logs could destroy a forest.
The threat to our forests
Campers who bring firewood from home may accidentally spread pests and diseases that threaten our provincial parks and the health of our forests.
Invasive species aren’t always easy to notice, as they remain hidden under the bark where you can’t see them. Moving firewood around the province is a common way for them to spread.
Emerald Ash Borer is one of our biggest culprits. A recent arrival to Canada, Emerald Ash Borer has no natural controls here — that means there’s very little we can do to stop them once they get into a park.
To prevent the spread of these pests, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued Federal Ministerial Orders that prohibit the movement of specific materials, including firewood and any material made from ash trees, from specific areas of Ontario, Quebec and the United States.
Buy firewood locally instead
Purchase your firewood at the park office when you check into your campsite, or buy from a supplier local to the park.
Likewise, consider leaving any leftover firewood for the next camper, instead of bringing it home. You can help protect the forests you love by keeping firewood in place.
Leave your firewood at home
It’s hard to believe something as simple as bringing your own firewood could threaten and destroy thousands, even millions, of trees.
But invasive species are a real threat to our parks’ biodiversity and overall health.
We need your help to protect our parks.
Questions?
For more information on bringing your own firewood into parks you are visiting, please contact the park directly.