Firewood Alert: Destructive Insects May Be Hitching A Ride!

The possession of firewood, whether hardwood or softwood, originating from a location for which a federal or state firewood quarantine is in effect is prohibited in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This closure prohibits the movement of firewood into the park from counties adjacent to the park for which a federal or state quarantine is in place, even if the quarantine allows for movement within the county. Failure to comply may result in a citation or seizure of firewood. Please see the list of quarantined states and counties.

Firewood which is in its original packaging stamped with a USDA - APHIS - PPQ shield stating that the wood is certified under one or more sections of federal regulation 7 CFR 301 is allowed. Also firewood which is purchased from a park concessionaire is allowed.

 

An infested log found in Tennessee. The serpentine markings on the wood are the feeding tunnels created by emerald ash borer larva.

NPS Photo

Destructive Insect Pests
Several types of destructive insects may be hiding in firewood campers bring from outside the park. The forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park could be devastated by these insects. To prevent this from occurring, firewood cannot be brought into the park from quarantined states or counties.

Emerald ash borer has killed tens of millions of ash trees in North America since its discovery here in 2002. The insect is originally from Asia, but was accidentally introduced to North America. The adult beetles eat ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. More information about emerald ash borer is available from:

• National Emerald Ash Borer website
• TN Dept. of Agriculture Emerald Ash Borer page
  (includes TN state firewood restriction information)
• US Forest Service Emerald Ash Borer page

Asian longhorned beetle is native to Asia, but has been found in Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York recently. Most Asian longhorned beetle infested trees have been in landscape settings so far. These beetles lay eggs on trees and their young bore through trees as they grow. Infested trees must be cut, chipped, and burned to prevent spread. More information about Asian longhorned beetle is available from:

• US Forest Service Asian Longhorned Beetle page
• USDA Beetle Busters website

Thousand Cankers Disease poses a serious threat to black walnut trees in the national park. The disease is caused by a non-native fungus which is transmitted by small twig beetles. For information about the disease, including a quarantine map, please visit:

• TN Dept. of Agriculture Thousand Canker Disease page
  (includes TN state firewood restriction information)
• US Forest Service Thousand Cankers Disease page

Don't Move Firewood!
Visit the Don't Move Firewood! website for a wealth of information, including state-by-state updates on quarantines and threats, interactive games, entertaining videos, insect identification, and ways you can help stop the spread of these and other destructive pests.

For additional information about other introduced insects and diseases that threaten the park's forests, please visit:

• TN Dept. of Agriculture Current Topics page
• APHIS Pest Tracker website
  

Firewood is available for sale at most large campgrounds in the park and in many stores in surrounding communities. However firewood may not be brought into the park unless it bears the USDA-APHIS-PPQ certification or is purchased from a county that has no quarantine in effect. In addition, park regulations allow for collection of dead, fallen wood for campfires.

Quarantine Notice: Firewood quarantines are in effect in many states. Click for state and county listings.

Other quarantines may also apply. Please check with your local Agricultural Extension Agent or visit the links on this page to see if your county is affected by a quarantine. Please note that the park does not differentiate between hardwood and softwood firewood. If an area is quarantined, no firewood from that area can be brought into the park.