Michigan will ban untreated firewood from outside the state beginning January 1, 2027, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced. The quarantine is intended to block invasive pests and plant diseases that commonly spread through firewood movement.
Under the new rule, firewood entering Michigan must be certified as heat-treated by MDARD, another state agriculture department, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Exceptions include kiln-dried dimensional lumber, wood pellets, wood chips no larger than one inch, and certain raw wood products transported directly to mills and processing facilities.
"Firewood movement is one of the most common ways invasive pests and diseases can spread to new areas, often without anyone realizing it," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "This new measure is an important step in preventing harmful pests from entering Michigan and protecting our forests, our agricultural resources, and the communities, industries and recreational opportunities they support."
Michigan joins Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin in restricting firewood imports. The state previously launched an Invasive-Free Firewood Certification Program, a voluntary initiative allowing Michigan producers who heat-treat their firewood to apply a "Certified Invasive-Free" seal to their products.
MDARD will partner with the Department of Natural Resources to implement the quarantine, with a focus on education and awareness throughout 2027. The Michigan Invasive Species Program will host an informational webinar on November 12 to answer questions about treatment requirements and exemptions. Travelers moving firewood between states should check FirewoodScout.org for state-specific requirements, according to the announcement.