Sports and Outdoors

Monday, May 23, 2011

Remember new DNR firewood policy this weekend

From the Indiana DNR:

Enjoy campfires on DNR properties this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the year in a way that will protect forests from the spread of invasive insects.

The 140 known pests and pathogens that affect forests are moved from place to place primarily through the movement of firewood. As a result, DNR has a new firewood management policy. In short, the policy means: "Buy it with a stamp, bring it debarked, burn it all."

That means you can still bring firewood into a state park, reservoir, state forest or state fish & wildlife area from home if you live in Indiana, as long as you have previously removed the bark from it. Insect larvae live in the sapwood under the bark. (People from surrounding states cannot bring their own firewood because of the federal EAB quarantines.)

You may also bring firewood into DNR properties if:
  • It is kiln-dried scrap lumber.
  • It is purchased from a department store, grocery store, gas station, etc. and bears a USDA compliance stamp.
  • It is purchased from a local firewood vendor outside the property and has a state compliance stamp with it.
  • It is purchased from the property campstore or on-site firewood vendor and has a state compliance stamp.

Regardless of where you get your firewood, burn it all at the campsite. Do not leave it for the next camper.

Salamonie Lake and Spring Mill State Park have already lost shade trees because of the
emerald ash borer insect. The DNR wants to stay ahead of this and other pests elsewhere.

For more about this policy, see firewood.dnr.IN.gov. Vendors who want to sell firewood for use in DNR properties should see:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/images/sp-Compliance_Territories.pdf.

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