Missouri Campers Urged to Limit Firewood Transport

Officials warn that moving wood over 50 miles can spread pests and violate state quarantine rules.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Camping

Gouache-painted illustration of a pile of oak logs resting on a mossy forest floor in a temperate woodland, representing local forest conservation. — Missouri wildlife officials are urging campers to source firewood locally to prevent invasive pests from destroying native state forests. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you choose to buy firewood locally rather than transport your own when camping?

Missouri officials are warning campers against transporting firewood long distances to prevent the spread of tree-killing pests. Residents are encouraged to source wood locally to protect the state's forests.

Why it matters

Transporting firewood allows invasive pests, such as the emerald ash borer, to spread far faster than they would move naturally. Limiting the distance wood is moved remains a primary defense against forest loss.

Official guidance from state conservationists identifies a 50-mile maximum transport limit as a key threshold to mitigate pest spread. It remains unknown how many individual campers are currently in violation of these guidelines.

The players

Missouri Department of Conservation

The state agency responsible for managing fish, forest, and wildlife resources and enforcing timber quarantine regulations.

USDA

The federal department that provides the heat-treatment certification seal for firewood.

The details

Tree-killing insects often hide under the bark of firewood, where they remain undetected by the human eye. Seasoned or dry wood can still harbor insect eggs or harmful fungus, which are easily transported and released when campers move wood between sites. To ensure safety, only heat-treated wood marked with a USDA seal is considered safe for long-distance transport.

October 20, 2026: Missouri conservation officials issued the warning.

Health Landscape

This warning reinforces the state's existing hardwood firewood quarantine protocols. It highlights the ongoing struggle to contain invasive species that threaten the ecological health of the state's forests.

If you are planning a camping trip, make it a habit to source firewood within 50 miles of your campsite. Choosing local fuel or certified heat-treated wood is an easy way to help protect the environment during your stay.

The takeaway

The best way to protect our forests is to buy your firewood near where you plan to burn it. Always look for the USDA heat-treatment seal if you must transport wood.