The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is inviting comments on a proposed firewood quarantine. The quarantine would restrict the movement of firewood originating outside the state of Michigan to help prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases that can hitch a ride on untreated firewood. Some of the pests are Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt, beech bark disease and spotted lanternfly, which pose a serious threat to Michigan’s forests, agriculture and tourism industries. Michigan’s forests are important economically, for recreation and to provide habitat to support wildlife. A quarantine would help protect these values. Read a draft copy of the quarantine here.
Stakeholders can provide comments through an online survey here. All comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, February 9, 2026.
Unlike nursery stock and other high-risk commodities, firewood is not routinely inspected, making it a significant pathway for pest introduction. Once established, these pests are difficult and costly to eradicate. Moreover, they can cause significant long-term economic and environmental damage.
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.
The quarantine would cover all firewood from outside Michigan, regardless of species or origin. Exemptions to the quarantine include kiln-dried dimensional lumber, wood chips no larger than one inch in any two dimensions, and logs or wood destined for immediate processing at sawmills, veneer mills, pulp/paper mills, and several other facilities. Firewood entering Michigan must be treated in a manner that would kill pests that might be hidden in the wood.
Please take a few minutes to fill out the online survey. Be sure to do so before 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 9. Our forests and the wildlife living there thank you!