VIRGINIA — Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in three new locations in Minnesota, the state Department of Agriculture said.
MDA confirmed submitted reports in Pine County’s Norman Township and the city of Virginia.
An Aitkin County forester also found evidence of the invasive insect at a timber sale site in Malmo Township, marking the county’s first confirmation and upping the number of counties with emerald ash borer to 54.
Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in the state in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding on the part of the tree that transports nutrients.
All of Aitkin County is now under an emergency quarantine, as are the rest of Mille Lacs and Pine, which until recently were only partially quarantined.
The St. Louis County quarantine is expanding farther north to include most of the Iron Range. It previously only covered the Duluth area.
The quarantines limit the movement of firewood and ash material out of the area.
MDA will host a virtual informational meeting for residents on March 26, where attendees can make their public comments.
The quarantines are expected to be formalized May 6. The proposed quarantine language can be found here. Public comments can also be submitted through May 5 by contacting MDA's Kimberly Thielen Cremers at kimberly.tcremers@state.mn.us.
