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BISMARCK -- The U.S. Forest Service Dakota Prairie Grasslands has issued a new area closure order to help prevent the spread of emerald ash borer (EAB) and other harmful forest pests. This order replaces the firewood Area Use Restriction Order that expired Oct. 1. The new order is in effect through Oct. 14, 2028.
The action follows the recent discovery of emerald ash borer in Bismarck, which demonstrates the continued spread of this invasive species across the region and reaffirms the need for continued protections, according to the forest service.
The order applies to all National Forest System lands managed within the Dakota Prairie Grasslands in North Dakota and South Dakota, including the Little Missouri, Cedar River, Grand River and Sheyenne National Grasslands and the Denbigh Experimental Forest.
Under this order, transporting or possessing trees or portions of trees originating from outside North Dakota or South Dakota is prohibited within designated areas. Firewood or tree materials originating from any North Dakota county under a state-designated EAB quarantine also are restricted. These measures help reduce the risk of inadvertently introducing or spreading invasive pests that threaten native forest ecosystems.
Exemptions apply to federal, state or local officers performing official duties, as well as individuals using firewood that meets at least one of the following:
- Certified heat-treated firewood supplied by the forest service, a State Department of Agriculture, or USDA-APHIS and accompanied by a receipt.
- Processed lumber or manufactured firewood products such as milled boards or compressed sawdust logs.
Violations of this order are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.