Your Own Firewood Could be a BIG Problem in Iowa, Illinois, & Wisconsin

Nothing beats the crackle of a campfire on a crisp fall evening—until your cozy firewood starts spreading a secret army of tree-killing pests! Yep, that innocent log you're about to toss into the fire might be the proverbial Trojan horse of trouble, carrying invasive species that love hitching a ride to their next buffet: your local trees. Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa would like to have a word with you about your firewood habits before you end up playing Invasion of the Tree Snatchers. Spoiler alert: it’s not a game any of us wants to play.

Wisconsin Wants to Stop the Spongy Moth Invasion

In the land of cheese, beer, and Packers, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is throwing the flag on a sneaky offender: hitchhiking pests. These tiny invaders, like the spongy moth, emerald ash borer, and the nasty fungus that causes oak wilt, are lurking on or inside firewood. Moving untreated wood from one place to another? Well, that’s like giving them a free Uber ride to destroy more trees, across more counties. And trust me, these bugs don’t tip.

That’s why Wisconsin has put its foot down with a 10-mile rule for firewood. If you’re headed to a state park, forest, or DNR property, your firewood must come from less than 10 miles away, or it needs to be certified as pest-free. And if you're planning on taking a scenic trip west? A spongy moth quarantine means no transporting firewood from infested areas to less-infested ones. The DNR says to "buy local, burn local"—because the only things you want returning from your camping trip are the memories, not a bunch of egg-laying pests ready to decimate your backyard.

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Illinois: No Firewood Over 50 Miles, Please

Over in Illinois, they’ve got their own wood woes. The state has its eyes on pests like the spongy moth, spotted lanternfly, and the thousand canker disease that targets walnut trees. If you’re moving firewood, here’s the golden rule: if it’s from more than 50 miles away, leave it at home. And bringing wood from another state? Forget it—unless it’s certified and heat-treated.

Northern Illinois has even slapped a quarantine on some counties, thanks to spongy moth infestations. Moving firewood out of these areas is as illegal as sneaking deep-dish pizza into Wisconsin (okay, maybe not that bad, but still a no-go). Campgrounds have their own rules too—some don’t allow any outside firewood at all! So, before you start dreaming of a night around the campfire, call ahead and check the firewood policies at your destination. Again, many campgrounds sell wood onsite. It’s a win-win—warm fire, no pesky hitchhikers.

Iowa Is Firewood-Phobic Too

Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources is on high alert for invasive species like the emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, Asian longhorned beetle, and—you guessed it—the spongy moth. These pests would love to make Iowa their next all-you-can-eat buffet, and your firewood is the perfect vehicle to get them there. That’s why Iowa says, “Buy local, burn local.” Keep that firewood within state lines and avoid bringing it across long distances. After all, nothing ruins a backyard BBQ like an emerald ash borer turning your trees into kindling, for good in the case of ash trees across the state.

Iowa even requires all firewood sold in the state to have labels showing where it was harvested, down to the county. This helps officials keep tabs on any potential pests and stop infestations before they spread. Many state parks also offer local firewood for sale, so if you forget to bring some, don’t worry—you can still roast those smores without risking an invasive bug invasion.

So, before you pack that trunk full of firewood for your next adventure, ask yourself: "do I really want to be responsible for spreading tree-killing hitchhikers?" Stick to local wood or certified pest-free options and let’s keep our local forests healthy. Trust me—no one wants to see with a treeless Midwest in the future.