ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has placed Stearns County under an emergency quarantine after a tree-killing insect was found in the city of Sauk Centre.
 
Authorities say city workers noticed several trees that showed signs of emerald ash borer damage and state agriculture officials collected larvae samples for confirmation.
 
The quarantine is meant to limit the movement of firewood and ash material out of the county, to reduce the risk of spreading the invasive species. A total of 18 Minnesota counties are now under a full or partial quarantine because of the emerald ash borer.
 
The insect was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009 and is now found in 35 states.