State parks ban firewood from emerald ash borer infested areas

By Beth Forbes
Ag Communications
Monday, April 24, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - This camping season all Indiana state parks, forests, reservoirs and recreation areas are off-limits to firewood brought in from areas of the state known to be infested with emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that destroys ash trees.

"It is absolutely crucial that people understand the dangers of moving firewood and firewood's connection to the spread of emerald ash borer," said Jodie Ellis, exotic insects education coordinator at Purdue University. "Emerald ash borer arrived in Indiana in infested firewood moved from Michigan or Ohio."

The pest has been found in seven Indiana counties that are now under quarantine. Those counties are Steuben, LaGrange, Randolph, Huntington, Adams, Marion and Hamilton.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources established the new policy that also limits hardwood firewood from the lower peninsula of Michigan and 13 quarantined counties in Ohio.

Campers entering state parks and other areas will be asked if they have firewood and whether it comes from a quarantined area. Firewood from areas quarantined for emerald ash borer will be taken and burned.

"If we are going to get a handle on this insect, we must all take responsibility and not move it to other areas of the state through firewood or other means," Ellis said.

The emerald ash borer, first found in northeast Indiana in 2004, has the potential to destroy all ash trees in the Hoosier state, Ellis said. It has spread across Indiana largely due to accidental introductions through infested logs, lumber and firewood.

Additional information about the emerald ash borer is available at all state-owned camping areas and at the Purdue or DNR emerald ash borer Web sites.

To report a suspected find of emerald ash borer or for any questions about invasive insects in Indiana, call the toll-free DNR hotline at 1-866 NO EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684).

Writer: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, forbes@purdue.edu
Source: Jodie Ellis, (765) 494-0822, ellisj@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu