Hunters can help stop the spread of the tree-killing emerald ash borer (EAB) by leaving firewood at home and acquiring firewood after reaching their destination, says the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which reported that the larvae of EAB has killed an estimated 20 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

To control the spread of EAB, transportation of firewood from the Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula is strictly prohibited. A checkpoint is in place at the Mackinac Bridge, where travelers can discard their wood without penalty.

State police can fine anyone who ignores the quarantine and continues into the U.P. Fines range from $100 to $10,000, depending on specific charges.

The Asian wood-boring beetles appeared in southeast Michigan in 2002. Their larvae are small, white, worm-like creatures that feed on the inner bark of ash trees. This disrupts the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients, which has cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators, and producers of forest products millions of dollars.

Call the EAB hotline at (866) 325-0023 for more information.