The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is providing notice that Maine’s emerald ash borer quarantine will remain in effect. Existing requirements under Chapter 275 continue to apply.

According to DACF, in a news release, the quarantine helps protect Maine’s ash trees by restricting the movement of materials that can carry emerald ash borer into uninfested areas. Residents and businesses handling or transporting ash wood, rooted ash and hardwood firewood should continue to follow quarantine requirements and check the regulated-area map before moving these materials.

Emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that kills ash trees. Moving infested wood can spread the insect to new locations, putting forests, community trees and privately owned woodlands at risk.

Residents and businesses can help slow the spread by:

• Checking current quarantine boundaries and requirements before transporting ash materials or hardwood firewood.
• Using only locally sourced firewood.
• Contact the Maine Forest Service with questions about moving potentially regulated materials.

For quarantine information, maps, and guidance on identifying and reporting emerald ash borer, visit maine.gov/eab.