It is illegal to bring firewood into the state of Oregon from a state outside of the Pacific Northwest (i.e., OR, WA, ID) or from the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, or British Columbia. Oregon’s Department of Agriculture requires that all heat-treated firewood that enters the state from outside these areas be labeled as “Approved Pacific Northwest Firewood” or “Approved Pest Free”. These rules are in place to protect Oregon from harmful forest pests that spread to new areas via the movement of firewood.
Because some areas in Oregon are already infested with the pests that cause sudden oak death and Dutch elm disease, it is against the law to move firewood out of, or within, these 13 counties. Also, most midwestern and eastern states prohibit firewood entering from Oregon to prevent the spread of thousand cankers disease of walnut.
Authorities in Oregon recommend that firewood never be moved more than 50 miles from its origin; keeping it within 10 miles or less is best. Since collecting downed wood within all national and state parks is against the law, Oregon’s State Parks suggest you buy your firewood at the campground, or close to it.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 10 June 2021.
UPDATE: As of late June, 2022, the highly destructive emerald ash borer has been found in Forest Grove, Oregon. Officials in the state have destroyed trees found to be infested and are currently surveying the surrounding areas to determine the extent of the established infestation. More action is pending according the the EAB Readiness and Response Plan in Oregon. If you live or travel in Oregon, please, don’t move firewood!
Oregon Web Resources :
- Oregon Department of Agriculture, Firewood Page
- Oregon Firewood Rule, as Interpreted on OregonLaws.orgs
- Rule 603-052-1080: Oregon’s Firewood Restrictions to Prevent Transport Invasive Species
- Oregon Invasive Species Council Don’t Move Firewood Page
- Oregon’s Department of Forestry Forest Health Program
- Oregon’s Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program
- Insect pest diagnostic guide
- Oregon Invasive Species Reporting Website
- Become an Oregon Forest Pest Detector!
Pest Specific Resources:
- Field Guide to Common Diseases and Insects of Oregon
- Thousand Cankers Disease Information and Map Archives
- USDA APHIS Thousand Cankers Disease
- Japanese Beetle
- Japanese Beetle Identification
- Dutch Elm Disease: Portland Trees
- Asian Spongy Moth, Threat and Opportunity brochure (January 2016)
- European Spongy Moth
- Oregon trees’ next nemesis: Bark beetles
- Oregon Invasive Pests Hotline
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