Some of the best times in the summer are spent sitting around a campfire with your family and friends.  While it's a great, relaxing time, it's also important to make sure you are burning approved firewood to avoid spreading forest pests such as emerald ash borer, gypsy moth and oak wilt.

The Minnesota DNR wants everyone to remember that only approved firewood is allowed on Department of Natural Resources-managed lands, which include state parks, state forests and wildlife management areas.

Firewood that can be used on state-managed lands must be offered for sale by the DNR at that location OR:

  • Be acquired from a DNR-approved firewood vendor who sells firewood harvested within Minnesota and less than 50 miles from where it will be burned.
  • Firewood that originated in Minnesota and obtained from a DNR-approved firewood vendor certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) or USDA- Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). A vendor ticket, bundle label or sales receipt must accompany the firewood.
  • Be kiln dried, clean (unpainted and unstained) dimensional lumber that is free of any metal or foreign substance. Pallet boards are not considered approved firewood.

The only exception is if you're camping on state forest land outside of a designated campground, you are allowed to gather dead wood on the ground for campfire use on site.

Click the link below for complete Minnesota firewood restrictions, including a list of approved firewood vendors, and before you light that fire make sure you have your harmonica!

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