©InvasiveSpeciesCouncilBC

The emerald ash borer, an invasive tree-killing beetle, was confirmed in three more Willamette Valley cities this month, the Oregon Department of Forestry announced Tuesday. …The infestations were all found within an emerald ash borer quarantine zone spanning Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill counties. The state agriculture department has ordered tree material from ash, olive and white fringe trees — including firewood from any hardwood tree — to stay within that quarantine zone to prevent spreading the invasive beetle. …Kat Bethea, an emerald ash borer support specialist with ODF, said the spread of the infestation across the region isn’t a question of “if” but of “when.” …Bethea said not transporting firewood long distances “is actually one of the largest things that everyone in Oregon can do” to help manage the spread of the invasive beetle.