NORTH CASCADES, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – As we head into the summer season, state officials have a reminder for campers: Buy it where you burn it.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture, along with multiple other agencies, is asking campers to not move firewood and instead buy it where they burn it this camping season.

The reminder comes after the invasive emerald ash borer was found this month in Vancouver, BC.

The wood-boring beetle was first found near Portland, Oregon in 2022.

Photo courtesy Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The emerald ash borer has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees and experts say moving firewood contributed to their arrival in the Pacific Northwest.

So, while transporting firewood for camping trips might seem like a cheaper, more resourceful option, campers should only use firewood they buy near their campsite.