> What I notice now when i look closely at the firewood, the outside is
> getting mildew/fungus and the inside is turning kind of "powdery",

Sounds to me like it's rotted. Any hardwood like maple should be dense and,
well, hard. Hard enough that if you slam the end of a screwdriver into
it...you might make a dent.

Throw it out or have a big bonfire...if it will burn. :-)

-John O