MINSTER — There is again free firewood available at Lake Loramie State Park.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has removed hazardous trees from Lake Loramie State Park, that are now available for collection from now until May 24. Free wood may be collected Sunday through Saturday during daylight hours only. Collections are located in the beach and visitor parking lots across from the spillway off state Route 362.

Only wood cut by the ODNR located at the designated park areas may be collected and removed. Removal of any standing or fallen trees outside of the designated areas will be prohibited.

Use of chainsaws, log-splitters, axes, mauls, as well as any other hand tools or powered equipment for further processing of the wood at or adjacent to the collection area will be permitted. Vehicles must remain in the designated parking areas.

The wood will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the department makes no guarantee that the supply will be available for the full duration of the designated time-frame.

Many of the trees that were removed have been affected by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Quarantine. The larvae of EAB feed on the inner bark of ash trees, eliminating the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. The trees at Lake Loramie State Park that have been affected by EAB pose a public safety concern for park visitors and campers. Other trees are being removed to address safety concerns at the spillway.

For questions, please contact Indian Lake State Park/Lake Loramie State Park at (937) 843-2717.