State officials have expanded an emergency order aiming to curb the spread of an invasive insect that is threatening trees across the central Maine region.

The emerald ash borer is one of the most serious invasive species threatening the state’s ash resources and forests, officials say, and their spread is “suspected to be the direct result of human movement” of the insect on wood.

Under the emergency order, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service is restricting the movement of ash trees, green ash waste, ash firewood “and any other materials that may be a means of emerald ash borer transportation.”

In an announcement Friday, officials said the expanded emergency order covers Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Waldo counties and parts of Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford, Penobscot Piscataquis and Somerset counties. The expansion follows the discovery of the invasive insect infestations in Corinna and Newport in Penobscot County, and Andover and Woodstock in Oxford County, officials said.

The forest service will also coordinate listening sessions in April to gather input on emerald ash borer regulations in Maine. The sessions, which will be in-person and online, are planned in Augusta, Old Town and Houlton.

In a question-and-answer accompanying Friday’s announcement, officials said the spread of emerald ash borer can be slowed by “using local and certified heat-treated firewood.”

“Everyone is asked to encourage others to do the same and to learn and follow best management practices when handling ash in regulated areas,” the statement said.

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