AUGUSTA — A new poster aimed at Maine’s hunting community reminds outdoor recreationists not to bring firewood into the state. Bringing in illegal, out-of-state firewood can import dangerous, invasive insect species, such as the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer, which can destroy Maine forests, according to state officials.

“Just like campers, hunters and fishermen traditionally have brought in firewood, and just like with campers, it’s got to stop,” said State Entomologist Dave Struble, with the Maine Forest Service, under the Maine Department of Conservation.

“Hunters and fishermen are a group we haven’t yet specifically targeted, and we believe they share our concerns about the welfare of the forests,” said State Horticulturist Ann Gibbs, with the Maine Department of Agriculture.

The new, eye-catching poster, “Guns, Bugs, Ammo, Camo, Three Out of Four Ain’t Bad,” reminds hunters: “Firewood can lug bugs! Buy it where you burn it – don’t give bugs a free ride!”

The two insects, not yet found in Maine, have destroyed millions of trees in other states. ALB, which damages a broad range of hardwoods, has infested a 98-square-mile area around Worcester, Mass. where maples appear to be the preferred host, and recently was discovered in Boston.

EAB, which has killed more than 60 million ash trees since it was first found around Detroit in 2002, has been detected in 16 states from Minnesota to eastern New York, and as far south as Tennessee.

A third invasive insect, the brown spruce longhorned beetle, now is threatening Maine softwood forests, Struble said. The insect was first seen in Nova Scotia, Canada, and recently was picked up in a trap in New Brunswick.

The Maine Forest Service, charged by the Maine Legislature with implementing and enforcing the firewood ban, is developing new, strict regulations regarding firewood importation. So far, the agency’s efforts have primarily focused on education and outreach, with firewood exchanges held on the Maine Turnpike on big holiday-travel weekends.

MFS is transitioning, however, to enforcement activities, including fines, Struble warned, adding, “it won’t be just confiscation of firewood.”