Last month, the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection adopted a policy that allows CALFIRE to enter into agreements with both public and private landowners and governmental agencies, including the federal government, for controlling the spread of the goldspotted oak borer.

This is a first step in adopting interdiction policies and regulations that could restrict the flow of firewood from infected areas (currently many areas of San Diego County) to uninfected areas such as Riverside County.

GSOB, non-native to California, is especially deadly because it has no natural predators in this state. It originally came from parts of eastern Arizona and from Guatemala and Mexico. Authorities believe GSOB hitchhiked into San Diego County by means of infected firewood. The damage in San Diego County has been extensive, with mortality rates reaching 100 percent for coast live oak, canyon live oak, and California black oak in infected areas. To date, GSOB is responsible for killing 80,000 trees throughout San Diego County said George Gentry, executive officer of the board. “If it continues to spread beyond the county, mortality rates will increase,” he said. “The implications for financial loss are quite high.”

For more information on this action and subsequent follow up, see www.bof.fre.ca.gov.