Key takeaways
- Nevada prohibits uncertified firewood from areas quarantined for forest pests, including most out-of-state sources.
- Pests of concern named by Don't Move Firewood: emerald ash borer, spongy moth, goldspotted oak borer and imported fire ant.
- Buy firewood where you will use it and burn only what you need.
- All Nevada state parks and wildlife refuges prohibit gathering firewood.
Firewood can carry insects and diseases that spread to healthy trees far from where the wood was cut. Nevada's trees are already stressed by drought, so keeping pests out matters.
What is the rule on moving firewood in Nevada?
Don't Move Firewood states that Nevada prohibits the entry of uncertified firewood into the state from areas quarantined for forest pests, and says this includes most out-of-state sources. We do not interpret the regulation beyond that, so ask the Nevada Department of Agriculture if you are bringing wood in from elsewhere.
Why does moving firewood matter?
Bugs ride in bark and under it. A few miles will not matter for a mobile pest, but hundreds of miles can start a new infestation. The pests the campaign lists for Nevada are emerald ash borer, spongy moth, goldspotted oak borer and imported fire ant. Ash is widely planted as a street and yard tree in Reno and Carson City, so a pest that attacks ash is worth keeping out. See our ash tree page.
What to do instead
- Buy firewood where you will burn it.
- Burn only what you need, and do not leave extra at a campsite.
- If you must move firewood within Nevada, remove the bark.
- Buy certified heat-treated firewood if you must travel with it.
- Report suspected invasive insects to the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
State parks and refuges
All Nevada state parks and wildlife refuges prohibit gathering firewood within the park or refuge. Some parks sell firewood on site, so call ahead. Gathering rules on federal land differ; ask the land agency.
If you are buying wood for a trip
Campers should buy firewood near the campground and burn it all, rather than carry leftovers home. Because some parks sell wood on site and none allow gathering, call ahead for the rules at your destination. If you live in Nevada and you are tempted by cheap wood from out of state, remember that uncertified wood from quarantined areas is exactly what the rule is aimed at, and a delivery driver is not a substitute for a certification.
Why Northern Nevada should care
Our trees already face drought stress and snow breakage. A new insect that arrives in a load of firewood adds to that stress, and it is hard to remove once established. Our tree guide has pages on bark beetles in pines and the fir engraver beetle, both of which affect trees here, so the goal is not to import new ones.
Our wood
We sell a variety of Reno firewood. We do not publish species or sourcing details online, so ask where the wood came from when you call 775.232.8243. If you have a tree that is dying and you do not know why, a certified arborist can look at it; see bark beetles in pines. Before you compare sellers, ask what is on hand, how much wood the price buys and whether it is seasoned, and read how big a cord of wood is.
Sources
- Don't Move Firewood: Nevada (read October 17, 2026)
- Don't Move Firewood: homepage (buy local, certified heat-treated firewood) (read October 17, 2026)