The Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Markets and Foods is seeking comment on the establishment of a joint exterior quarantine against the movement of out-of-state firewood into New Hampshire.  It is clear through several studies in New Hampshire and throughout the Northeast U.S that firewood is being transported long distances on a regular basis and that firewood is a major vector of insects and disease.  All twenty Northeastern U.S states have restrictions on untreated out-of-state firewood movement and most have a complete ban on importing firewood material from out of state.  New Hampshire seeks to join Maine and New York here in the east to ban untreated out-of state firewood. 

In summary, the New Hampshire state firewood quarantine will stop all importation of firewood to New Hampshire unless it is heat treated to USDA-APHIS standards or it has been inspected and certified clean of forest pest by an authorized Agency in the state of origin.  Commercial firewood operations may seek a compliance agreement with DRED to import firewood material with a known and documented origin within 50 miles of New Hampshire.

A copy of the proposed quarantine can be downloaded here from the Division of Forests and Lands website, News and Information section.  Comments regarding the proposal can be emailed to the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, Forest Health Program at foresthealth@dred.state.nh.us. Comments will be accepted through Friday, June 10, 2011.

For questions, contact Kyle Lombard, Forest Health Program Coordinator at 603-464-3016.

the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, Forest Health Program, is part of the Department of Resources and Economic Development.  to learn more about the Division of Forests and Lands visit us on the web at www.nhdfl.org or contact us at 603-271-2214.