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# Michigan to Bar Untreated Firewood Imports in 2027
- URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-michigan-2026-09-24-a/
- Published: 2026-09-24T13:23:15.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-24T13:23:15.000Z
- Description: Michigan will prohibit untreated firewood from entering the state on Jan. 1, 2027, requiring recognized heat-treatment certification to reduce the risk that invasive insects and plant diseases cross the border.
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: Policy, Michigan

Michigan will prohibit untreated firewood from entering the state beginning Jan. 1, 2027, creating a new statewide barrier against insects and plant diseases that can travel unnoticed in bark and wood.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the external quarantine on Sept. 17 with the Michigan Invasive Species Program. A state [news release](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/42b411e?ref=theamericanquorum.com) says firewood brought across Michigan's border must be properly heat-treated and certified by MDARD, another state agriculture department or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The rule applies to all firewood originating outside Michigan, regardless of tree species or source. It does not ban residents from buying or burning firewood, and it does not prohibit all wood products. The state's detailed [questions and answers](https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/-/media/Project/Websites/mdard/documents/pesticide-plant-pest/planthealth/Firewood-QA--Sept-2026.pdf?ref=theamericanquorum.com) exempt kiln-dried dimensional lumber, wood chips no larger than one inch in two dimensions, wood pellets and certain raw materials shipped directly to approved processing facilities.

For travelers and campers, the operational rule is simpler: leave untreated out-of-state firewood behind, buy wood near the destination or use certified heat-treated bundles. Michigan's public [guidance page](https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/laws/dont-move-firewood?ref=theamericanquorum.com) says qualifying products should carry a recognized certification mark, such as the Michigan Certified Invasive-Free icon, another state's approved seal or the USDA shield.

The quarantine follows a public-comment proposal issued in January. In that [proposal](https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/news/2026/01/09/proposed-exterior-firewood-quarantine?ref=theamericanquorum.com), MDARD said more than 140 plant pests and diseases can hitchhike on untreated firewood. Because larvae, spores and other organisms may be hidden, even apparently clean logs can transport a threat far beyond its natural range.

That risk is not theoretical for Michigan. The state has already dealt with forest threats including hemlock woolly adelgid, oak wilt and emerald ash borer. A national campaign led by The Nature Conservancy advises consumers to buy wood where they burn it or choose certified heat-treated products, explaining that long-distance firewood movement can introduce destructive species to new forests. Its [consumer guidance](https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) mirrors Michigan's central prevention message.

MDARD plans to implement the quarantine with the Department of Natural Resources and emphasize education during 2027\. The state has scheduled a Nov. 12 webinar for firewood producers, campground operators, travelers and other affected groups. The official [event notice](https://www.michigan.gov/egle/outreach/upcoming-events/2026/11/12/notmispecies-november-firewood?ref=theamericanquorum.com) says quarantine compliance specialist Amber Neils will explain the rule and take questions alongside DNR and invasive-species staff.

Michigan producers that use wood from outside the state will need to review sourcing and certification before the effective date. Campgrounds and retailers may also need clearer purchasing instructions for customers. The state's enforcement posture will begin with a heavy educational focus, but the quarantine rests on Michigan's Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act, giving it a legal framework beyond a voluntary recommendation.

The policy shifts part of invasive-species prevention to the point of entry. Instead of waiting to detect a new infestation after it spreads, Michigan is requiring treatment and documentation before higher-risk firewood crosses the border.