Halting Forest Pests in the Smokies

Invasive forest pests are a serious threat to the health of the forests in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To prevent the threat of non-native forest pests from devastating the forests, the National Park Service is initiating a ban on firewood brought into the park. Starting in March 2015, only heat treated-firewood with a USDA stamp are allowed to be brought into the park campgrounds. This measure is preventative to attempt to curb the spread of invasive species that have already devastated many hemlocks, ash, and fraser-fir trees in the park. In this video, the Great Smoky Mountains Association goes into more detail about the extent of the problem, and how you can help to do your part:











Jeff

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