Buy Local. Burn Local. Help Protect Canada’s Forests.
Firewood can carry insects, eggs, larvae and plant diseases that are almost impossible to spot. Buying wood close to where you plan to burn it is one of the simplest ways to reduce the spread of invasive forest pests.
Ask where the firewood was cut.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recommends buying wood cut less than 80 km from where it is sold—and checking movement restrictions before transporting it.
Firewood can move more than heat from one place to another
Bark, cracks and hidden galleries can carry invasive insects and diseases. A piece of firewood that looks completely normal can still transport a pest into a forest that did not have it before.
You may not be able to see the problem.
CFIA notes that firewood and bark can contain insect eggs or larvae, and that signs of infestation can be extremely difficult to notice. Fungal spores and other plant pests can also travel with wood.
- Moving firewood can introduce pests into previously pest-free areas.
- Human transportation can move pests much farther and faster than they spread naturally.
- Local purchasing reduces unnecessary long-distance movement.
- Knowing the source helps buyers make a more responsible decision.
Three questions before you buy or move firewood
These simple questions capture most of what a consumer needs to think about.
Where was it cut?
Ask the supplier for the source area. CFIA recommends buying wood cut less than 80 km from where it is being sold.
Where will I burn it?
Buy near the destination whenever possible—especially for cottages, campsites, hunting camps and seasonal properties.
Am I crossing a regulated boundary?
Before transporting firewood, check whether federal or provincial movement restrictions apply to the origin, route or destination.
Firewood is a pathway for several serious forest threats
The pests and regulated areas change over time. These examples show why local movement matters.
Emerald Ash Borer
A destructive beetle that attacks ash trees. CFIA regulates movement of ash materials and firewood from affected areas.
Spongy Moth
Egg masses can be laid on bark and firewood. Moving infested material can help the pest reach new areas.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
A serious threat to hemlock forests. Movement requirements can apply to firewood and other regulated plant materials.
Dutch Elm Disease
Untreated elm firewood can help spread the beetles that carry the disease into areas where it is not established.
Leave home firewood at home
The firewood already stacked in your backyard may feel convenient to throw in the truck, but buying at or near your destination is the better habit.
Before you leave
- Do not automatically pack firewood from home for the cottage or campsite.
- Check the rules for your destination, campground, park and any regulated areas along the route.
- Plan to buy firewood near where you will burn it.
- If you already have wood and are unsure whether it can legally move, check CFIA guidance before travelling.
At your destination
- Use firewood supplied or approved by the campground or park where required.
- Ask local sellers where their wood came from.
- Burn the wood where you purchased it rather than taking leftovers home.
- Do not move unused wood to the next campsite or cottage stop.
Sometimes moving firewood is not just discouraged—it can be illegal
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency establishes regulated areas to slow the spread of specific plant pests. Restrictions can apply to firewood and other wood products leaving those areas.
Regulated areas can change.
CFIA updates regulated areas as pests are detected or surveillance information changes. Do not rely on an old map, old forum post or last year’s camping rules.
Current CFIA guidance states that moving firewood from places where regulated pests have been found can violate the Plant Protection Act, with penalties up to $50,000 and/or prosecution.
Ontario has several firewood-related regulated pest concerns.
CFIA’s current firewood guidance identifies Ontario regulated-area considerations associated with emerald ash borer, Dutch elm disease, hemlock woolly adelgid and spongy moth.
Local sourcing can be part of a supplier’s value
CanFirewood encourages suppliers to be transparent about where their firewood comes from and where they deliver it.
State your source area
Tell customers the general area where the wood is harvested or processed instead of leaving them to guess.
Define delivery areas
Use realistic service areas and understand whether regulated boundaries affect your normal delivery routes.
Explain heat treatment
If wood is certified or heat treated under a recognized program, explain what that certification actually means and retain the required records.
Keep traceability
Good records of source, processing and delivery can help demonstrate responsible practices and support regulatory compliance.
Separate inventory when needed
Where movement restrictions apply, regulated and compliant inventory may need to be managed separately under the applicable rules.
Educate customers
Tell cottage and camping customers why taking leftover firewood long distances is a bad idea—even if the wood looks perfectly clean.
Local firewood supports local businesses and healthier forests
Buy Local / Burn Local is not just an environmental message. It also fits the purpose of CanFirewood: helping customers find nearby suppliers instead of hauling firewood across long distances.
- Helps reduce one important pathway for invasive forest pests.
- Keeps more customer spending with businesses in the surrounding area.
- Reduces unnecessary long-distance hauling for a heavy, bulky product.
- Encourages suppliers to be transparent about source and service areas.
- Makes it easier for cottage and campground users to buy near their destination.
- Creates a stronger connection between local forests, suppliers and consumers.
Check before you move
Because pest detections and regulated areas can change, use current official guidance before transporting firewood between areas.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
CFIA is the federal source for plant-health movement restrictions, regulated pest areas and guidance on the hazards of moving firewood.
Hazards of Moving Firewood → Invasive Pests & Plants →Buy Local / Burn Local FAQ
How local should firewood be?
CFIA recommends buying firewood that was cut less than 80 kilometres from where it is being sold. That is practical guidance rather than a universal legal travel limit, so movement restrictions still need to be checked separately.
Why can't I just bring firewood from home to the cottage?
Firewood can contain insect eggs, larvae, fungal spores or other pests that are difficult or impossible to see. Moving it can introduce those pests into a new forest area.
Can I move firewood within Ontario?
Sometimes, but you must check current regulated areas and the specific pest rules that apply. Ontario has regulated concerns associated with several forest pests, and some wood movements can require authorization or be prohibited.
Is kiln-dried firewood safe to move anywhere?
Do not assume that the marketing term “kiln-dried” automatically removes every movement restriction. Certain heat-treated firewood may move under CFIA movement certificates or compliance programs, but the applicable regulatory requirements must be met.
What should I do with leftover campground firewood?
Burn it where you bought it if permitted. Do not automatically take it home or move it to another campsite, since that can spread pests to another area.
Can I bring firewood across the Canada–U.S. border?
Firewood is subject to strict Canadian import requirements. Do not attempt to bring it across the border without confirming the requirements, and always declare regulated plant and wood products when entering Canada.
What should I ask a firewood supplier?
Ask where the wood was cut, whether it has been moved from another region, what species are included and whether any certification or heat treatment applies to wood intended for movement.
Find suppliers close to where you’ll burn.
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