New firewood regulations are coming to Michigan to fight the spread of invasive pests.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Invasive Species Program (MISP) rolled out a new firewood quarantine beginning in 2027.
Specifically, beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, it will no longer be permissible to bring untreated firewood into Michigan, which is called quarantine by Act 189 of 1931 – The Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act, MDARD said in a release.
“Preventing the introduction of invasive pests is far more effective than trying to manage an established infestation,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring.
Firewood that has been properly heat-treated and certified by MDARD, another state agriculture department or the U.S. Department of Agriculture will not need to be quarantined.
The quarantine requirement will not apply to:
Certified, heat-treated firewood accompanied by an authorization certificate or labelKiln-dried dimensional lumberWood pelletsWood chips no larger than one inch in two dimensionsCertain raw wood products transported directly to facilities for immediate processing at sawmills, veneer mills, pulp and paper mills, wood pellet manufacturers, firewood kiln operators and certain biomass and composite-product facilities
Michigan joins Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota, and other states that only allowed certified, heat-treated wood across their state lines.
Firewood processors in Michigan who source wood from outside the state should contact MDARD.
More information on firewood requirements in Michigan can be found here.