Mayor Fitzgerald Declares Local State of Emergency to Facilitate Response to Mediterranean Oak Borer Infestation

October 6, 2023 — In order to quickly and aggressively mitigate the confirmed presence of the invasive Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB) beetle in a number of Wilsonville trees, Mayor Julie Fitzgerald has declared a Local State of Emergency.

This action provides the City latitude to coordinate an expedient and more effective response by directing funding for emergency use as needed and suspending standard procurement procedures. 

“We’re taking significant measures to protect our Oregon white oaks and other trees from further devastation,” Fitzgerald said. “As necessary, we will engage our emergency management and environmental partners to support MOB containment efforts that pose a significant threat to the region’s trees.”

With guidance and supervision from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), the City of Wilsonville is procuring an Air Curtain Incinerator to burn the debris from two trees confirmed to be infested by MOB. The ODA’s “Burn Boss T-24,” incinerator is a 4’x20’ unit stands 4’ tall and is capable of burning about 1,000 pounds of wood per hour. The burning wood is contained within an air curtain that minimizes smoke and particulates.

ODA officials overseeing the operation anticipate the burn taking 3-4 days and eliminating about 14 tons of tree debris. The burn is expected to take place Oct. 9-12.

Incinerating infested wood ensures that pests within the tree debris do not proliferate. Transporting debris from infested trees is a leading cause of spread of MOB and other invasive pests.

In coordination with the State and the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, the City is locating the incinerator at a future park site on Advance Road, north of Meridian Creek Middle School. A 30’x 30’ area is being cleared by the City’s park maintenance staff to accommodate the machine, which must be placed on dirt or gravel, well clear of structures and living trees. A permit for the operation of the low-pollutant incinerator is being issued by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The City is working in coordination with West Linn-Wilsonville School District, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture to optimize safety and communicate information about the burn to community members in near proximity.

City planners and consulting arborists have been collaborating with the ODA and the Oregon Department of Forestry since this summer, when suspicion of MOB was confirmed in a 55” tree on to-be-developed property in Frog Pond West. Evidence of the pest is now confirmed or evidenced in more than 10 local trees/groves.

The State of Emergency Declaration remains in effect until 5 pm on December 29, 2023; it may be renewed if necessary.

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