WSDA seeks feedback on proposed firewood quarantine
WSDA seeks feedback on a proposed quarantine of untreated out-of-state firewood to prevent the introduction of plant pests and bee pests.
What is a firewood quarantine?
A firewood quarantine would make it illegal to bring untreated firewood into Washington.
Many states, including Oregon, have already enacted firewood quarantines that prohibit out-of-state firewood. Under a firewood quarantine, any wood that has not been properly heat-treated to prevent the movement of pests is not allowed to enter the state.
Why is a firewood quarantine necessary?
This firewood quarantine is necessary to prevent the spread of invasive pests, especially wood-boring insects, and will help prevent their introduction into Washington.
The movement of firewood containing pests poses a threat to Washington’s forests, agriculture, and environment. Eggs, larvae, and adult stages of many invasive insect pests can be carried on or inside firewood and are easily spread when firewood is moved from one location to another.
Introductions of these invasive insect pests have destroyed forests and are costly to control.
WSDA has the authority to enact a firewood quarantine under RCW 17.24.041.
How to provide feedback
To provide comments, please email envjustice@agr.wa.gov. All comments received will be used to inform the agency’s Environmental Justice Assessment for this rule. The Environmental Justice Assessment for this rule is scheduled to conclude by May 1, 2025.
Learn more
More information about the proposed firewood quarantine is available on WSDA’s website. You can also learn more about how to safely use and move firewood on WSDA’s Firewood webpage, and by visiting DontMoveFirewood.org.