Jackson County has been added to the list of counties under quarantine in the state of Wisconsin after it was found to have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
On Aug 6, the EAB infestation was noted in a tree located at the Department of Natural Resources Service Center in Black River Falls, reports the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Investigations revealed that the other trees situated nearby were also infested.
Majority of counties in the southern part of the state, including Door County and Buffalo County have recorded infestations and are thus being quarantined as well. Douglas County and Oneida County in the northern parts of Wisconsin have also been added to the list. All in all, a total of 39 counties in Wisconsin have been placed under quarantine status to to EAB infestation.
Being placed in the list of quarantined counties means that the transportation of hardwood firewood and ash wood to a non-quarantined place is prohibited. Moving firewood from one area to another can also transmit other forest pests, says an official from the DATCP. Wood product business owners are required to coordinate with the state to ensure that the EAB infestations do not spread widely; however, members of the public seem to be the reason for the transmissions.
"Moving firewood has caused many or most EAB infestations," said Brian Kuhn, Plant Industry Bureau Director at the DATCP in Wisconsin. More than 50 percent of the counties in the state have been found to have EAB infestations; however the extent and severity of the affectations are only small and isolated, he adds. With this, the authorities are firmly discouraging wood, even within the quarantine zones. People may unknowingly transport EAB to an area where an infestation may not even develop for many years.
Educating the people about the specific details of the EAB transmission may help to prevent its spread. In Nebraska, public seminars have been initiated to do such. The public is also encouraged to implement preventive measures within their properties, particularly if a confirmed or suspected infestation is located within 15 miles.
The Emerald Ash Borer was first detected in the US way back 2002. A wood shipment from Asia was said to be the primary source of the now widespread infestation across 25 states.
