Michigan Eyes Ban on Untreated Firewood at Park
The Department of Natural Resources is pursuing a policy requiring heat-treated firewood at Hartwick Pines State Park.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Camping
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Should state parks ban bringing untreated firewood from home to protect forests?
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is pursuing a policy to prohibit untreated firewood at Hartwick Pines State Park. The proposal would allow only firewood certified as pest-free after heating in a kiln, a measure the agency says would reduce the spread of invasive insects and diseases.
Why it matters
Firewood can carry pests and diseases that damage forests, and officials are already dealing with invasive species introduced this way. The policy would also apply to campers across Michigan, where a statewide quarantine already seeks to block more than 140 known plant pests and diseases.
Certified firewood must be heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for at least one hour to be considered pest-free. The DNR's 2018 proposal for similar restrictions was never adopted, and the current plan's outcome remains pending.
The players
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
The state agency responsible for managing Michigan's state parks, forests, and wildlife, including campground rules and invasive species controls.
Scott Bowen
The director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who can finalize approval of the firewood proposal.
The details
The proposal would serve as a trial to test how well restricting all but heat-treated firewood works in more state parks. Enforcement would rely on patrols and conversations with campers about where they obtained their wood rather than vehicle inspections.
Timeline
2018: The DNR proposed a heat-treated-only firewood restriction, which was never adopted.
Thursday, Nov. 12: Fleming presented the proposal at a Natural Resources Commission meeting.
Dec. 9: Director Scott Bowen may finalize approval of the proposal.
2028: Enforcement at Hartwick Pines State Park is expected to begin.
Legal Context
Michigan's statewide quarantine already bars untreated firewood from entering the state to stop more than 140 known plant pests and diseases. The Hartwick Pines proposal would tighten those rules inside one park, following a pattern seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Wisconsin state parks.
Campers who bring firewood from outside the park may have to buy heat-treated wood locally if the proposal is approved. Those who regularly camp at state parks should check the rules before packing firewood for a trip.
The takeaway
Campers can help limit the spread of invasive pests by buying firewood locally or using certified heat-treated wood. Checking park rules before a trip can prevent a last-minute change in plans.
What happens next
The Natural Resources Commission and Director Scott Bowen are expected to act on the proposal on Dec. 9, and enforcement at Hartwick Pines is expected to begin in 2028.
Further reading
For more on rules that apply to campers, see our Camping coverage across Michigan.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mlive.
Live Poll
Should state parks ban bringing untreated firewood from home to protect forests?
