ALBANY – In the wake of the discovery of invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetles in the Catskill Forest Preserve, the state Department of Environmental Conservation Monday urged residents and visitors to comply with the state’s regulations prohibiting the movement of untreated firewood, the major cause of the introduction and spread of the insect.

New York firewood regulation prohibits untreated firewood from entering the state, and restricts intra-state movement of untreated firewood to no more than 50 miles from its source.

DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said that restriction is important because Emerald Ash Borer and other damaging invasives like the Asian Longhorned Beetle and Sirex Woodwasp are known to become established in new areas when infested firewood is moved from one place to another.