As deer hunters make plans for trips next weekend, the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection wants them to leave the firewood at home.
The upcoming start of the gun deer hunt means wood-burning stoves at many cabins will be getting some use this weekend. Mick Skwarok with DATCP is urging those traveling to pick up firewood after reaching their destination, in order to help limit the spread of the emerald ash borer.
The state has been working to keep the tree-killing insect contained in the state. It currently has been found in 11 Wisconsin counties, which has resulted in quarantines and ongoing efforts to track its movement.
Skwarok says moving firewood is seen as a key battle in slowing down the beetle. He says many people unknowingly transport the insect in wood from their property that they have cut down, with larval beetles hiding beneath the bark of downed ash trees. In the spring, Skwarok says any wood left behind could result in adult beetles moving on to infest a new section of the state.
Skwarok says hunters should just plan to buy firewood in the same area where they are going to burn it.