I camp at least one Wisconsin state campground every year and we always take lots of wood from the woods near our home so we can have nice big campfires without having to spend a ton of money on campfire wood when we get to the campground. It looks like those days are pretty much over.

In an effort to protect Wisconsin forests from invasive pests like the damaging emerald ash borer, the Wisconsin DNR is now prohibiting the bringing of firewood onto any DNR properties (which includes all Wisconsin state campgrounds) from more than 50 miles away.

In addition, no out-of-state campground can be brought into Wisconsin state campgrounds so even if it is less than 50 miles away. Out of state campers who violate the rule and transport firewood into Wisconsin state campgrounds are subject to federal fines of at least $250.

For me and my family, that means we’ll need purchase firewood at the campground or from a nearby dealer for almost all the camping we do in Wisconsin. Even though we live in the state, we almost always camp at least 50 miles from home.

For more information on the rules and for informaiton on firewood availability at Wisconsin state campgrounds, visit: www.wiparks.net