Firewood

Do Not Move Oak Firewood Out of Local Areas

Goldspotted oak borer (GSOB) larvae remain in cut oak logs and firewood from GSOB-killed trees or green infested trees and are a continual threat of further infestation. Wood from GSOB infested trees should not be removed from local infested areas. We emphasize that transporting infested firewood is likely the most significant pathway for introducing GSOB into non-infested areas.

Oak Firewood Availability

To prevent the spread of GSOB and limit the pest’s damage, it is important to manage oak firewood properly.

For information on the availability of personal use only firewood permits for specified areas of national forest land, contact the Cleveland National Forest's Descanso Ranger District at (619) 445-6235.

Management Practices

Homeowners - See Management Options

Area Parks and Campgrounds:

Never remove or transport oak firewood in or out of parks and campgrounds
Use only local sources of firewood
Burn your supply of firewood before leaving a recreation area.

Note: Adhering to above guidelines can help slow the spread of GSOB and the resulting death of California oak trees.

More Information

Oak Firewood Advisory Flyer (PDF)
Advertencia Sobre La Leña De Roble/Encino (PDF in Spanish)

Vendors & Sellers Firewood Advisory Flyer (PDF)
Advertencia A Vendedores De Leña De Roble O Encino (PDF in Spanish)

2010 Firewood Dealer Letter (PDF)

Save Trees - Keep Firewood Local, News Release (PDF) - Oak Mortality Taskforce News Release

Related Images

Visit the California Firewood Task Force website to learn more about efforts within the State to protect our native and urban forests from invasive pests that can be moved on firewood.

Posters from California Firewood Task Force Campaign:

Burn It Where You Buy It - GSOB Specific (PDF)

Burn It Where You Buy It - GSOB Specific (PDF in Spanish)

Burn It Where You Buy It - Black Background (PDF)

Burn It Where You Buy It - White Background (PDF)

Burn It Where You Buy It - Black Background (PDF in Spanish)

Photo Sources:

Tom Coleman, U.S. Forest Service Entomologist (Wood in truck); Lorin Lima, University of California Cooperative Extension (Firewood Flyer);
Tom Scott, University of California Cooperative Extension (Larvae in firewood)