June 11, 2007

LANSING - Race fans packing up their campers and RVs for a weekend of camping around the Michigan International Speedway (MIS) near Jackson are reminded to not move hardwood firewood this racing season to help stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

EAB, an exotic beetle native to Asia, is responsible for the death or damage of millions of ash trees in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. EAB larvae live and feed undetected beneath the bark of ash trees, making any piece of ash firewood a potential vehicle for the accidental transport of the insect. Even firewood that may appear healthy could be carrying EAB larvae under the bark.

"Racing fans camping around Michigan Speedway are urged to use local sources of firewood, burn all they purchase, and to not take unused firewood back home, or to their next camping location," said Ken Rauscher, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management division director, Michigan Department of Agriculture. "Many infestations in Michigan and surrounding states have been a direct result of people inadvertently moving infested firewood."

Because Jackson County is part of the state’s EAB quarantine, firewood may be sold and used in Jackson County. It is, however, illegal to transport hardwood firewood out of the lower peninsula of Michigan or into other states. Those found violating the state’s EAB quarantine are subject to fines ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 and jail time of up to five years for moving regulated ash materials, including firewood.

For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info, or contact your MDA regional office or local Michigan State University Extension office.