PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — State environmental officials say that only local firewood from Rhode Island should be used at campsites and summer cottages to help prevent the introduction of invasive insects and diseases from out of state.
The Department of Environmental Management says many species of insects and diseases can be spread through the transport of infected firewood. Insects not found in Rhode Island that could be introduced include the Asian Longhorned Beetle, emerald ash borer and Sirex woodwasps.
Officials say the emerald ash borer was first detected in North America near Detroit in 2002 but has since killed over 25 million ash trees in states from Michigan to West Virginia.
Rhode Islanders also are being urged to not transport local firewood to prevent introducing gypsy moth eggs and hemlock woolly adelgid elsewhere.
