State expanding quarantine to fight emerald ash borer - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

State expanding quarantine to fight emerald ash borer

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York will expand a quarantine on ash wood products across most of the southern part of the state to combat the spread of the invasive emerald ash borer.

The beetle's larvae have destroyed tens of millions of trees as it's moved steadily east from Michigan, where it was discovered in 2002.

The state has banned untreated firewood from entering New York and forbidden moving it more than 50 miles from its source within the state since 2008 as it's tried to hinder the beetle and other pests. It's also imposed local quarantines regulating movement of ash products.

The new quarantine will take effect May 1 in all or parts of 22 counties south of the Thruway. Rockland, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties and New York City aren't included.