Don't Move Firewood

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Moving firewood, even just a few kilometres away, can spread invasive insects and diseases to our forests.

Buy it locally. Burn it on site. Never bring it back home.

A single piece of firewood can destroy millions of trees

It might seem difficult to imagine, but something as simple as bringing your own firewood when you travel to or from your favourite campsite could threaten and destroy thousands, even millions, of trees.

Transportation of firewood is a common way for invasive species to spread. Hidden under the bark where you can't see them, these pests are moved across Canada.

The emerald ash borer, for example, has killed millions of ash trees in the United States and Canada since it was first introduced from Asia. On its own, it doesn't move very far. Help slow its spread to new areas: don't move infested materials like firewood.

Help control the spread of invasive species

• BUY and burn local firewood only.
• LEARN where your firewood comes from.
• FIND out if you are living in or travelling to an area regulated for an invasive species.
• LEAVE natural items in their natural habitats.

All it takes is one harmful pest

Invasive species affect us all. They create an imbalance in nature by using up the resources that native species need to survive. Like a ripple in a pond, the impact is far-reaching and can cause widespread damage to Canada's forests.

These pests can cause trees to disappear from our forests, cities, streets and parks. This can affect air and water quality. It can deprive citizens of shade and animals of habitat while damaging private property and reducing land value.

Don't move firewood

One of the easiest ways to control the spread of invasive species such as the emerald ash borer is to simply not move wood from one area to another, even if it's just a few kilometres.

You never know what might be hiding in or under the bark.

Did you know that moving firewood to or from certain places can be against the law?

You could face penalties of up to $50 000 and/or prosecution if you move firewood out of an area regulated for a quarantine pest without prior approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Stop the spread of invasive species

An invasive species can be any plant, animal, aquatic life or micro-organism that spreads when introduced outside of its natural distribution and causes serious and often irreversible damage to our ecosystems, economy and society.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the Government of Canada's science-based regulator for animal health, plant protection and food safety. The CFIA plays an important role in protecting Canada's plant resource base from invasive pests and diseases.

For more information please visit the CFIA's website at www.inspection.gc.ca or contact the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.