EMERALD ASH BORER HEADED OUR WAY

(06/30/2007)
Another problem for West Virginia's forests is headed this way.

State officials say it's just a matter of time before the state is invaded by the Emerald Ash Borer.

The borer has destroyed more than 20 million ash trees in the US since being discovered near Detroit five years ago.

It was just found this week in Butler County, Pennsylvania. A few days before that, it was found in Mahoning County, Ohio, about 30 miles from West Virginia.

Assistant West Virginia state Forester Dan Kincaid says it's only a matter of time before they arrive here.

Officials believe the bugs travel on logs of firewood.

West Virginia currently bans ash firewood from states that have the bug, which so far include Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio and now Pennsylvania.