Excerpted From Supervisor Lisa Bartlett’s Newsletter:

Orange County Parks is initiating a new firewood policy designed to reduce the risk of damaging Orange County’s oak and sycamore woodlands and other trees from invasive pests.

Effective today [02/16/18], visitors to OC Parks’ two camping parks, Caspers Wilderness Park and O’Neill Regional Park, both in the Fifth District, may no longer bring or burn outside firewood, unless it is commercially produced, heat treated and labeled “Pest Free” or “Safe to Move.” This is due to highly invasive and destructive non-native insects that could travel in firewood and decimate local tree populations.

The Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) and Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) are invasive pests contributing to ongoing tree mortality in California, and both have been found in Orange County. These pests and pathogens can easily be moved from place to place by hiding in firewood. Campgrounds around the state are taking steps to slow the spread of tree pests by limiting the movement of firewood.

Wood from shipping pallets, scrap lumber, tree trimming services, etc. is prohibited. Gathering of dead wood or other plant material within the park is not permitted.

Treated firewood bundles will be available for purchase at the park office of our camping parks.

Thank you for doing your part to protect the campsites you love and conserve our natural resources.

Learn more at: https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/.