Firewood

Don't Move Firewood | Imports | Exports

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Don't Move Firewood

Throwing a few pieces of firewood into the trunk of the car before a camping trip might seem like a good way to plan ahead, but those logs could destroy a forest.

Firewood can carry small but harmful hitchhikers that are often hidden in the bark or wood. The damage caused by invasive species such as the emerald ash borer can expand exponentially when they get rides from families on vacation - even if it is only a few kilometres away. In fact, the emerald ash borer had killed millions of ash trees across Canada.

When forests are destroyed, everyone bears the consequences. Workers who depend on the lumber industry can lose their livelihoods. Animals and birds can lose their habitat. And our environment can lose the cleaning power forests provide for the air we all breathe.

The solution is easy: leave your firewood at home and pick some up locally instead. If everyone takes care of our forests we will be able to enjoy them for years to come.

Please help us protect Canada's forests

A single piece of firewood can destroy millions of trees.
Don't Move Firewood.

• Brochure
• Don't Move Firewood Road Signs in Sault Ste. Marie
• Fact Sheet
• Poster - PDF (237 kb)

Firewood and Domestically Regulated Pests

Within Canada, existing CFIA plant protection policies are in effect to strictly control the movement of firewood from regulated areas of Canada.

The following quarantine pests are regulated to prevent further spread:

• Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle
• Dutch Elm Disease
• European Larch Canker
• Gypsy Moth 
• Pine Shoot Beetle
• Asian Long-Horned Beetle
• Emerald Ash Borer

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Imports

Importing Firewood?

You cannot import firewood from any country except some parts of the United States. Importing firewood from many areas of the United States is restricted or prohibited and must meet strict requirements.

Firewood that does not meet Canada's import requirements will be refused entry, returned to its place of origin or disposed of at the importer's expense. You could also face penalties or prosecution if you do not declare restricted or prohibited items such as firewood. When returning to Canada, declare all foods, animals, plants and related products at customs. These items could introduce harmful diseases, pests, viruses and micro-organisms to Canada.

Policy: D-01-12 - Phytosanitary Requirements for the Importation and Domestic Movement of Firewood.

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Exports

Export of Firewood to the United States

Firewood of hardwood (non-coniferous) species from Canada must be heat treated to achieve a minimum wood core temperature of 71.1°C for a minimum of 75 minutes to be eligible for entry into the U.S.

All commercial shipments of firewood of hardwood species from all Canadian sources must be accompanied by a heat treatment certificate issued by the facility responsible for the heat treatment (a Phytosanitary Certificate is not required); and each non-commercial shipment must be accompanied by a treatment certificate or a treatment label on the outside of each of the firewood bundles that can be linked to a treatment certificate.

For more information please contact one of CFIA areas or regional officers.