New York’s “50-Mile” Law You Need To Know

The warm summer weather is not going to last forever and the crisp air of the fall will be here soon. If you plan to burn firewood in New York State, there are some laws that you should know. While New York State has not fully outlawed burning firewood to heat your home, it does have other restrictions to be aware of.

There is nothing like the smell of firewood burning on a cold day. There is something special about walking in to a house that has a crackling fire going and warming up next to it on a winter day! It all starts with a lot of hard work and a good stack of seasoned firewood. However, it is where that firewood comes from that has New York officials concerened.

New York State, "Prohibits untreated firewood grown in the state from being transported more than 50 miles from its source or origin; and
Require that people carry source, origin, or treatment documentation whenever transporting firewood.

Read More: Did New York Outlaw Fireplaces In Homes?

The issues with moving firewood long distances are diseases and destructive bugs being transported with the wood that could be invasive and threaten forests.

The forecast is calling for warm temperatures to last for a few more days before we start to cool off. If you have not gotten that woodpile stacked yet, now is the time to get to work.

What Is The Best Firewood To Burn In New York State?

There are some trees that produce the best firewood that will burn hot and have a good burn time. These are usually hardwoods like maple. However, if you are planning a campfire, some suggest you use pines and other softwoods. It has been my experience that pines spark a lot! It is very dry in much of New York State and you will need to be careful and pay attention that the sparks don't get out of control.