Minnesota DNR Reminds Visitors to Bring Only Approved Firewood Onto State Lands

It's that time of year when vacation days are being used up and the campgrounds are filling up.  Nothing beats sitting around a campfire at night for good conversation and laughs but, before you build your fire, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has an important reminder.

They want to remind all visitors that only approved firewood is allowed on lands administered by the DNR, such as state parks, state forests and wildlife management areas. Firewood restrictions are needed to help prevent the introduction or spread of damaging forest pests, including emerald ash borer, gypsy moth and oak wilt.

Firewood that can be used on state administered lands must be offered for sale by the DNR at that location or:

1. Be acquired from a DNR-approved firewood vendor who sells firewood harvested within 50 miles from where it will be burned, or from a DNR-approved firewood vendor who is certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). A vendor ticket, bundle label or sales receipt must accompany the firewood.

2. Be kiln-dried, clean (unpainted and unstained) dimensional lumber that is free of any metal or foreign substance. Pallet boards are not considered approved firewood.

There is one exception: Those camping on state forest land outside of a designated campground may gather dead wood on the ground for campfire use on site.

You should also make sure to burn all the wood onsite and not throw it in the truck and transport it to your next destination.

Most campgrounds will have firewood available onsite, and some will even deliver it to your campsite.  Then, all you have to do is get out your guitar and amaze your family and friends with your rendition of "Dancing Queen".