Firewood Quarantine Expands In Efforts To Control Emerald Ash Borer

KANE COUNTY -- The emerald ash borer has been detected in new areas of Kane County, prompting the Illinois Department of Agriculture to expand its quarantine to the entire county. Results from tree surveys show signs of ash borer infestation in Hampshire, Elgin, Plato and Blackberry Townships, state Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said Friday.

Last summer, the ash borer--already responsible for killing nearly 20 million ash trees in five other states and Canada--was discovered in a rural subdivision west of St. Charles. At that time a quarantine was established encompassing 51 square miles of Kane County.

The state quarantine means people may not remove from the area any non-coniferous firewood--a broad range because it is difficult to distinguish between hardwood species, including ash, oak, maple and hickory, once a log has been cut and split.

Anyone caught removing prohibited firewood from the quarantined areas without a permit faces fines of up to $500.

EDIT

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0701130183jan13,1,872373.story?coll=chi-newslocal-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

in NE Colorado.

and aspens...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/26/science/earth/26aspen.html?ex=1316923200&en=845ccfaa5c62e5fa&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
DENVER, Sept. 25, 2006 — The aspen, an emblematic tree of the West and the most widely distributed tree in North America, is rapidly and mysteriously dying.



it's becoming epidemic. :(

in the west that have been weakened by drought.

But that has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with global warming-induced climate change. Nothing. it's your imagination.

Keep commuting 50 miles one-way from your McMansion to work everyday in your SUVs. Those pesky trees just block the view of the horizon anyway.