It is illegal to bring uncertified firewood into Oregon from a state outside of the Pacific Northwest (i.e., OR, WA, ID). Oregon’s Department of Agriculture requires that all certified, 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.
Important: In July 2022, the highly destructive emerald ash borer was found in Washington County, Oregon. In response officials have conducted surveys and initiated a response plan to slow ash mortality. A quarantine is in place to contain the infestation, and hardwood firewood is prohibited from leaving the Washington County. If you live or travel in Oregon, please, don’t move firewood! If you live or travel in Oregon, please, don’t move firewood!
Some areas in Oregon are already infested with deadly tree pests and pathogens; as a result, quarantines are in place which restrict the movement firewood out of or within quarantined areas. This is the case for the pathogen that causes sudden oak death, Phytophthora ramorum, (see the quarantine details here) as well as the fungus that causes Dutch elm disease which includes a quarantine zone of 12 listed counties. Many midwestern and eastern states also prohibit firewood from Oregon to prevent the spread of thousand cankers disease of walnut.
Oregon Dept. of Agriculture states that as a general rule, moving firewood 50 miles is too far, and under 10 or less miles is best. Since collecting downed wood within all national and state parks in Oregon 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 17 October 2023.
Oregon Web Resources :
- How You Can Help – Firewood Page, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (ODA)
- Oregon State Parks FAQ
- Oregon’s Firewood Restrictions to Prevent Transport Invasive Species
- Oregon Firewood Rule, as Interpreted on OregonLaws.orgs
- Oregon Invasive Species Council Don’t Move Firewood Page
- The Hidden Threat in Firewood: Invasive Forest Pests, OR State University
- Oregon’s Department of Forestry Forest Health Program
- Oregon Invasive Species Reporting Website
- Become an Oregon Forest Pest Detector!
Pest Specific Resources:
- Asian Spongy Moth, Threat and Opportunity Brochure (2016)
- Chestnut Blight Quarantine in Oregon
- Dutch Elm Disease and Elm Yellows Phytoplasma quarantine in Oregon
- Emerald Ash Borer in Oregon
- Emerald Ash Borer Response Plan in Oregon
- Emerald Ash Borer additional information, Oregon Invasive Species Council
- Mediterranean Oak Borer Found in Oregon, ODA press release
- Mediterranean Oak Borer Fast Facts, OR Dept. of Forestry
- Spongy Moth quarantine area
- Thousand Cankers Disease Information and Map Archives
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