Firewood Quarantine coming for Carlton County

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced Monday they have found new locations of Emerald Ash Borer in Minnesota. MDA confirms Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was found near Holyoke, Sawyer, and Wrenshall in rural Carlton County. EAB was known to be in Carlton County, however DNR officials say these are new locations.

EAB was also found for the first time in Meeker, Murray, Ottertail, and Wadena counties. Officials say 58 counties in the state have confirmed sightings of EAB.

MDA is enacting emergency quarantines in all five counties. This means that movement of firewood and ash material out of these counties is limited.

All of Carlton County, excluding the Fond du Lac Reservation, will be quarantined. The MDA issues these quarantines to help reduce the risk of further spreading the tree-killing insect.

The public is invited to attend a virtual informational meeting on Tuesday, July 8 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Register at MDA website.

Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that moves nutrients up and down the trunk.

MDA researchers say the public may see signs of infestation. They say woodpeckers like to eat the EAB larvae, and woodpecker holes may indicate the presence of Emerald Ash Borer. EAB tunneling also can cause the bark to split, revealing the S-shaped galleries underneath.

Residents can report a pest by calling 1-888-545-6684.