HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.14.26 Board Correspondence - FW_ FORESTRY NEWS_ Board Expands Efforts to Stop Invasive Beetles in Southern California.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments,
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From:Clerk of the Board
To:Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod; Kitts,
Melissa; Krater, Sharleen; Lee, Lewis; Little, Melissa; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen;
Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth
Cc:Sjolund, Garrett; Nuzum, Danielle
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: FORESTRY NEWS: Board Expands Efforts to Stop Invasive Beetles in Southern California
Date:Tuesday, April 14, 2026 4:57:51 PM
Attachments:image001.png
Please see Board Correspondence -
Lewis LeeAdministrative Technician - ConfidentialButte County Administration25 County Center Drive, Suite 200 • Oroville, CA 95965T: 530.552.3326www.buttecounty.ca.gov | lelee@buttecounty.ca.gov
From: California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection <PublicComments@bof.ca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 4:53 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.ca.gov>
Subject: FORESTRY NEWS: Board Expands Efforts to Stop Invasive Beetles in Southern California
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NEWS RELEASE
California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Expands
Efforts to Stop Invasive Beetles in Southern California
Expansions of the “Zones of Infestation” reflect the Board’s commitment to safe and
healthy forests through efforts to contain and eliminate invasive pests and diseases.
SACRAMENTO—The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection announced
today that it has expanded what are called Zones of Infestation for invasive pests
named shot hole borers and the goldspotted oak borer in Southern California with the
goal of protecting susceptible trees and limiting associated tree mortality.
“With the continued expansion of these invasive species, each Zone of Infestation is
critical in the fight to limit their spread,” said Board Executive Officer Tony Andersen.
“Through these zones, the Board facilitates CAL FIRE’s ability to enter into
agreements with public and private landowners, and state and federal agencies to
control and eradicate these invasive pests. This also allows us to foster greater outreach
and education about the risks of firewood and green waste movement associated with
spreading these pests to new locations.”
Following discoveries in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County, the current zone will now
include 10 Southern California counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San
Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and
Ventura). Shot hole borers are currently known to reproduce in 77 host tree species,
including 18 species native to California, and can attack and damage more than 260
other species. More than 100,000 mated females can emerge from a single tree, capable
of attacking and infesting other trees. These invasive beetles have caused tree injury
and mortality to hundreds of thousands of trees in urban and riparian forests since 2012,
resulting in millions of dollars in mitigation and remediation costs as well as lost
property value.
An estimate of vulnerable trees in urban Southern California areas (Inland Empire,
coastal Southern California, and SW desert) found that 32.8% of the region’s 70.8
million trees are susceptible to infestation.
"Protecting California’s trees is a top priority for the Board, as it safeguards our
environment, communities, and quality of life,” said Board Member J. Lopez.
“Expanding these Zones of Infestation is a crucial step in limiting the spread of
invasive pests, reducing tree loss, and raising public awareness about the significant
importance of using local firewood and green waste.”
With expansion into Ventura County, the Zone of Infestation for this pest will now
include Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura
Counties. Originally introduced into California on firewood from Arizona in early
1990s, the goldspotted oak borer has killed an estimated 200,000 susceptible oaks to
date, causing mortality levels as high as 45% in previously healthy, mature coast live
oak, canyon live oak, and California black oak trees.
These susceptible oak species exist throughout most of California’s 37 million acres of
forested landscape.
“The expansion of the goldspotted oak borer is an important step to help protect
California’s oak woodlands that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species across
the state,” said Board Member Ryan Hilburn.
ISHB and GSOB primarily spread long distances because of firewood and green waste
movement. Tree mortality caused by these pests reduces property values, increases
potential for hazard trees, and increases fire danger. Loss of oak habitat threatens
Native American traditional practices, and wildlife species dependent on GSOB- and
ISHB-susceptible tree species are adversely affected by diminished habitats.
For more information about the Board or Zones of Infestation, contact Katie Harrell at
(916) 698-1035 or katie.harrell@bof.ca.gov.
For more information about invasive shot hole borers or the goldspotted oak borer go to
www.ishb.org and www.gsob.org. To find out more about keeping firewood local to
limit invasive species spread, go to www.firewood.ca.gov.
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