The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources advises against bringing your own firewood when camping. While bringing your own wood or buying it somewhere other than the property you are staying at could save you some time and money, the tree-killing organisms that lurk on or inside the firewood may not be worth the bargain. For example, the Emerald Ash Borer was confirmed in all 72 counties by the DNR last year, and it is expected to kill 99 percent of the state’s ash trees when it is done. The Asian long-horned beetle, spongy moth, and other invasive insects and fungi have been tracked to do similar things if not contained. The DNR recommends that you “buy local, burn local” when it comes to firewood, purchasing it on-site during your camping trip. Likewise, the DNR also recommends not taking unused firewood home with you to prevent invasive insects and fungi from impacting your community. DNR Invasive Forest Insects Program Coordinator Mike Hillstrom reminds you that infected firewood can have an impact even during the winter months.

The one exception is if you purchase firewood that has been treatment-certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Consumer, and Trade Protection. With six approved locations in Door County, Hillstrom says treatment-certified firewood is usually either heat-treated or has been allowed to sit in the same spot for 48 months or more.