The camping season has begun but if you're headed for a state park, leave your firewood at home.
Bruce Chevis, operations manager for the state parks says no firewood that's traveled more than fifty miles will be allowed at state camping sites. Rangers will be questioning campers as they register and may watch them unload wood.
Chevis says it's necessary in the battle to keep the Emerald Ash Borer away from Wisconsin Ash trees. At risk he says, seven hundred million ash trees across the state.
Chevis says they've made a special effort to have firewood vendors on the park or very close to the entrance so firewood is available at reasonable prices.
Chevis says campers should just get used to not hauling firewood anywhere. It seems to be the wave of the future.