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”. This rule is 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 the summer of 2024 the pest was also found in Yamhill, Marion and Clackamas counties. In response officials have conducted surveys and initiated a response plan to slow ash mortality. A quarantine is in place to slow the spread of EAB, and hardwood firewood is prohibited from leaving Clackamas, Marion, Washington and Yamhill counties. Mediterranean oak borer has also been discovered in Clackamas county and poses a serious risk to forest health. 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 Oregon 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 26 December 2024.
Oregon Web Resources :
- How You Can Help, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (ODA)
- Oregon State Parks FAQ
- 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 Invasive Species Reporting Website
- What to do with ash wood, Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF) Fact Sheet
- Become an Oregon Forest Pest Detector!
Pest Specific Resources:
- Spongy Moth, ODA fact sheet
- Spongy Moth quarantine area, USDA APHIS PPQ
- Mediterranean Oak Borer Found in Oregon, ODA 2023 press release
- Mediterranean Oak Borer Fast Facts, ODF
- Chestnut Blight Quarantine in Oregon
- Dutch Elm Disease and Elm Yellows Phytoplasma quarantine in Oregon
- Emerald Ash Borer in Oregon, ODA
- Emerald Ash Borer additional information, Oregon Invasive Species Council
- Emerald Ash Borer Fact Sheet, ODF
- Thousand Cankers Disease Information and Map Archives
- Phytophthora ramorum/sudden oak death, USDA APHIS
Do you have a better link for Oregon? Help us out by clicking on the Submit A Link ribbon below.