Around the fire

Don’t Move Firewood – Buy It Where You Burn It

During camping season many of us enjoy a campfire, however firewood can contain invasive insects and disease that threaten BC’s forests!  Small bugs, eggs and tree killing diseases can be in your fire wood and you may not know it!

New infestations, such as Gypsy moth and Asian long-horned beetle, are often first found in campgrounds and parks. Once transported into new areas, these insects can become established and damage local trees.

Let’s work together to stop their spread and protect our forests by following the rule Don’t Move Firewood – Buy Local Burn Local.

What are the impacts of moving fire wood?

  • Tree-killing insects and diseases can destroy our forests
  • Threated property values
  • Be costly to control

What can you do to help?

BUY LOCAL BURN LOCAL

Buy it local – Buy firewood at or close to your destination. Firewood that has been cut within 20 km of your fire is ideal. If firewood has been cut 80 km or more of your fire, then it’s too far.

Burn it local – If you brought any non-local firewood with you, use it first and burn it completely.

Leave it local – If you have firewood left over from your stay, leave it behind. Avoid transporting firewood long distances. Even if your wood looks clean and healthy (no bugs, holes, burrows) it is still NOT OK to transport. It is impossible to see with your naked eye microscopic fungus spores or tiny insect eggs.