Don’t Move Firewood
Education and Outreach
Campaign
Buy It Where You Burn It!
To make sure invasive insects are not spread on firewood, use firewood from local sources. In other words, buy it where you plan to burn it.
Why?
Even a small insect, such as the Emerald Ash borer, can devastate Washington forests. Their impacts could jeopardize forest economies and favorite outdoor recreation sites. Instead of tall groves, imagine tree stumps. Small pests can make big impacts.
Firewood Campaign Questions and Answers
Look for the "Buy it where you Burn it" Message
- Billboards across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho
- Rest areas around the state
- National and state forests and campgrounds
- City and county parks
- Private campgrounds
- On posters, playing cards, and Frisbees distributed at state parks
- With the U.S. Forest Service vendors selling firewood cutting permits
- At ferry ports and border stations
- In the Washington Trails Magazine and Big Game hunting pamphlets
- Please share our "Don't Move Firewood" video.
Order Materials for Outreach Events
To order, send e-mail to InvasiveSpecies@rco.wa.gov.
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| Weatherproof posters | Biodegradable Frisbees | Playing cards |
For additional invasive species outreach materials, use the educational materials order form.
Who Should Care?
- Bird watchers
- Campers
- Recreational Vehicle (RV) users
- Rock climbers
- Skiiers and snowboarders
- Hikers
- Mountain bikers
- Hunters
- Property owners
If you spend time doing any of these activities or even if you have a home with trees on your property, you should be concerned about the potential for invasive pests and the damage they can do to the places where you love to spend time.
For example, imagine the forest you love to hike in cut down because of an invasion of the emerald ash borer, or your favorite campsite closed due to an infestation. These are real scenarios that have already happened on the East Coast where some of these invasive species are well established.
What Can I Do?
You can save trees! Whether you love to RV, snowboard, ski, hike, hunt, rock climb or mountain bike you should know what you can do to protect the places you love.
- How can you protect the trees that you love? It is simple – don’t move firewood.
- Spread the word – tell your friends, neighbors, and family about the dangers of moving firewood. If you know someone who is preparing for a camping trip or vacation in their RV, remind them to purchase their firewood locally.
- Call ahead to your camping destination to find a local wood dealer.
- Never take firewood with you – always buy it near where you will burn it.
- Learn to identify and recognize the pests of concern. Check out the resources on this page to learn more.
- Burn all your firewood before leaving your campsite.
Share our "Don't Move Firewood" video
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| Video: PNW Don't Move Firewood |
Firewood Invasive Pests and Diseases of Concern in the
Pacific Northwest
Some of the following species have been found in Washington but as of today, do not have established populations here. The firewood campaign is aimed at keeping these species from entering our campgrounds and forests.
Photographs: Oak Splendor Beetle - Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org; Emerald Ash Borer - David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org; Sudden Oak Death - Bruce Moltzan, Missouri Department of Conservation, Bugwood.Org; Oak Borer (The title for this species should actually read “Goldspotted Oakborer” - Mike Lewis, Center for Invasive Species Research, Bugwood.org; Ambrosia Beetle - J.R. Baker & S.B. Bambara, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org; Gypsy Moth – Washington State Department of Agriculture; Asian Longhorned Beetle – Washington State Department of Agriculture; Plum Pox potyvirus - European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization Archive, Bugwood.org; European Nun Moth – Hannes Lemme, Bugwood.org; European Spruce Beetle - Daniel Adam, Office National des Forets, Bugwood.org; Sirex woodwasp - David R. Lance, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org, Imported Fire Ant - USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org; Japanese Beetle - Pest and Diseases Image Library, Bugwood.org
Resources
Documents
- Guide to Implementation of Phytosanitary Standards in Forestry
- 2010 USDA Risk Assessment of the Movement of Firewood within the United States
- Don't Move Firewood' pilot project report to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Partners
- National Don't Move Firewood Campaign
- Washington Forest Protection Association
- U. S. Forest Service
- Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
- Oregon Invasive Species Council Web site
- Idaho Invasive Species Council Web site
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Videos and Images
 Smith Family Goes Camping |
Video: Don't Move Firewood |
Interview with Woody, the Emerald Ash Borer |
Little Things, Big Problems - Emerald Ash Borer |
What Other States Are Doing
News
- Non-Local Firewood Poses Threat to Pacific Northwest Forests
- Burn firewood? NW states urge you to buy local
Special Thanks
The council extends a thank you to everyone who has helped on this campaign. Special thanks go out to our partners: Oregon Invasive Species Council, Idaho Invasive Species Council, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and the Washington Forest Protection Association.
