Great Smoky Mountains Park new firewood regulation

[ncscz]

Updated regulations

Firewood Regulations: Beginning March 1, 2015 only heat-treated firewood that is bundled and certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state agency may be brought into the park. Campers may also collect dead and down wood found in the park for campfires.

Certified heat-treated firewood is packaged and clearly marked with a state or federal seal. Heat-treated wood is available from a growing list of private businesses in communities around the park. Concessioners at Cades Cove, Smokemont, and Elkmont will provide heat-treated wood for sale during their operating season (typically March through October at Smokemont and Elkmont and through December at Cades Cove). Visit www.nature.org/firewoodmap for a map of local stores and businesses that sell certified firewood. Additional information about this regulation.

[Mr__Camper]

6.7 tow rig wrote:

Mr. Camper wrote:
Which is why we eliminated this from being an issue when we bought a propane, smokless fire pit. Never been told it violates any fire bans and we can always be kepy warm when sitting outside.

While Im sure those are pretty nice, for me the real thing just cant be beat.

I agree but over the past decade and a half bans are increasing as are complaints from smoke. T miss the smell of real wood but in trying to be sensitive to others with pulmonary issues this was the best compromize.

[jolooote]

The thing that actually spreads these pests is the policy of not being allowed to spray em with insecticides! Colorado forests were destroyed by this policy. The bugs are alive & well and moving into California now.

[6_7_tow_rig]

Mr. Camper wrote:
Which is why we eliminated this from being an issue when we bought a propane, smokless fire pit. Never been told it violates any fire bans and we can always be kepy warm when sitting outside.

While Im sure those are pretty nice, for me the real thing just cant be beat.

[Mr__Camper]

Which is why we eliminated this from being an issue when we bought a propane, smokless fire pit. Never been told it violates any fire bans and we can always be kepy warm when sitting outside.

[stuckinthesand]

I almost busted out laughing when I rolled in there a couple years ago with some firewood I had just bought right outside the park at a gas station and the park service employee checking me in ask if my wood was inspected and he held up a piece of wood with a inspected stamp on it. I told him my wood didn’t have a stamp and he said the first thing I was to do when I got to my camp site was to burn my wood in the fire ring. I didn’t tell him that is what I planned on doing anyway. Nobody ever checked to see that I “destroyed” my uninspected wood.

[dodge_guy]

That`s great, because we all know that the bugs obey all state and U.S. borders!

[Speedogomer]

Been dealing with similar restrictions in NY and PA. We do most all our camping in NY, rules are your firewood can only come from NY state and then only be transported 50 miles. Sucks since I live just 5 miles south of the state border and can't use my own firewood.

[janechucknicode]

The good thing about this statement is that "collect down and loose wood" The heat treating is a great way to emilinate any "bugs" but also inceases the costs of having a neat campfire. Probably for 5 pieces of samll wood for 6 bucks to 3 pieces? :h

Over all being in several state and federal parks over the years, this is probably the best way to circumvent the"bugs". NOw that the govenenment has allowed all the shipping companies to bring inthese pests from over seas.:M

My 2 p.
Cheers and have a great and safe camp.
Volunteers in state parks are good for our environment.