Invasive-Free Firewood Certification Program

Become a Certified Invasive Free-Firewood Producer

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have established a voluntary Invasive-Free Firewood Certification Program to protect Michigan’s natural resources and meet rising consumer demand for properly heat-treated firewood.

Why is Michigan Doing This?

Firewood movement is a well-known pathway for the introduction and spread of invasive species that can harm Michigan’s environment and economy. Heat treatment at the proper level and duration will effectively kill invasive insects and diseases. Proper storage of heat-treated wood prevents reinfestation. 

How can firewood producers participate?

Producers can complete the online application form for the Invasive-Free Firewood Certification Program. If you would like to receive a print copy of the application, contact MDARD-InvasiveSpecies@michigan.gov.

Application

What requirements must producers meet to participate?

Producers interested in participating in the program must meet the following requirements:

• Firewood must be heat treated in a kiln to 140°F and held there for 60 minutes, as evidenced by the results of an annual kiln inspection administered by MDARD or an agency with a reciprocal relationship with MDARD.
• In addition to the kiln inspection, areas of wood intake, pre- and post-treatment storage, packaging and shipping will be inspected. 
  • Untreated and heat-treated firewood must be stored in such a way as to make separation of the two obvious and easy to recognize. Sufficient separation requires either: 
    • A physical barrier that cannot serve as a host for forest pests (e.g., a cement enclosure); or 
    • Clearly marked areas of the facility where there is no possibility of treated and untreated firewood coming into contact with each other.
    • After heat treatment, firewood must be stored in a dry/covered place with no vegetation.

The initiative to bring an invasive-free certification program to Michigan began with a social survey that revealed a consumer preference for certified invasive-free firewood. These consumers expressed a willingness to pay 5-10 percent more for certified firewood than they would for non-certified firewood. Firewood producers that participate in Michigan’s invasive-free certification program will be able to charge a premium price for the better product they will be able to offer their customers.

Participating producers are encouraged to display the program’s icon on their labels [JF6.1]and advertising. The icon lets consumers know the firewood has been heat-treated to improve its burnability and protect Michigan’s parks, forests and home landscapes from tree-killing invasive species.

Firewood producers that participate in the invasive-free certification program, as well as the firewood vendors that they supply with certified invasive-free firewood, will be listed on the MDARD website’s consumer page for finding certified invasive-free firewood in Michigan.

How much does the program cost? 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will waive all inspection and certification fees associated with the program through Fiscal Year 2027. The department is currently developing a fee structure for program participants in subsequent years.

How is the State of Michigan promoting this program?

The State of Michigan is promoting the Invasive-Free Firewood Certification Program through a targeted marketing campaign that includes: 

• Billboards on highways and matching posters at all Michigan Department of Transportation rest areas and welcome centers as well as state park and state forest campgrounds and interpretive centers. 
• Project partners will have one-on-one conversations with campers at state campgrounds and with firewood vendors outside of state campgrounds to share information about certified firewood. 
• The state’s 22 Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) will each be provided with a pop-up banner promoting a preference for invasive-free certified firewood which they will use at their regular outreach events. On average, each CISMA hosts or has a booth at six outreach events per year. 
• DNR will share promotional stickers at its booths at camping trade shows and through campground hosts and partners that interact with the camping community. 
• DNR and MDARD will promote the campaign via Facebook ads and other social media content.[