As previously reported, the Emerald Ash Borer was identified in southeast Dallas County earlier this month. Urban Forester Emma Hanigan says the pest primarily travels in firewood and one way to keep it out of neighboring Guthrie County is to keep tabs on where you’re getting your wood from. “We recommend that people use firewood locally, that they don’t transport wood outside of their county. Not only the Emerald Ash Borer, but other invasive pests also are carried on firewood. We want to limit invasive pests moving around the state.”

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says that 21 of Iowa’s 99 counties have now been infiltrated by the Emerald Ash Borer.