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Don’t Move Firewood!

Firewood can spread destructive invasive forest pests. Just by looking at firewood, you cannot tell if it’s infested. Only use firewood that has been cut locally or heat treated, and help slow the spread of invasive forest pests.

What is the problem with invasive forest insects and diseases?

• Invasive species are a serious threat to Manitoba’s trees.
• Emerald ash borer, an invasive forest pest originating from Asia, is spread by the movement of infested ash material like firewood.
• Dutch elm disease was likely introduced through the movement of infested firewood into the province by campers.

Don’t move firewood, get it locally

Try to purchase firewood that was cut down close to where you are going to burn it. Don’t bring wood from cities and towns to cottages and campgrounds and vice versa. Reducing the movement of firewood helps reduce the spread of forest invasive species.

Are there any laws about moving or storing wood?

Yes. The following restrictions apply

• Firewood of any species is restricted from leaving the City of Winnipeg
• Ash wood cannot be brought into Manitoba from Ontario or Quebec.
• Barked pine wood cannot be brought into Manitoba from BC, parts of AB, and parts of SK unless it has been heat treated.
• You cannot store elm wood unless it has been debarked, chipped, or heat treated. Elm wood should only be moved if it is being taken to a disposal site.
• You cannot bring firewood of any species into Canada from the U.S.

What does a “Regulated Area” mean?

Regulated areas are areas that are quarantined for certain plant products to help slow the spread of invasive species. The City of Winnipeg is regulated for the movement of firewood and ash wood because Emerald ash borer was confirmed in in 2017. Firewood and ash products cannot leave the city of Winnipeg, because these plant products have a high risk of moving EAB into un-infested areas of Manitoba.

What kind of firewood is safe to move?

Firewood that has been heat treated is usually safe to move (but cannot be moved outside of regulated areas).

I cut down a tree in my yard, can I take that wood with me camping?

No, you should not take wood from home to your cabin or to Manitoba’s parks and campgrounds. In many cases, you cannot easily know if a tree was affected by an invasive forest pest or disease, and you could unknowingly spread a pest like emerald ash borer to new areas.

I already moved firewood, what should I do?

If you accidentally have firewood with you when traveling into Manitoba from another province, you can dispose of firewood at orange drop-off bins that are located near the Saskatchewan border on the Trans Canada Highway (at Kirkella) and Yellowhead Highway (at Russell), near the Ontario border on the Trans Canada Highway (at Whiteshell Provincial Park), and on Highway 75 at the Emerson Travel Manitoba center.

Otherwise, you can burn it quickly in accordance with local by-laws, or take it to a designated disposal site (usually the local landfill).

Source(s):

1. https://www.gov.mb.ca/nrnd/forest/forestry/invasivespecies/firewood_spread.html