Sudden Oak Death Quarantine in Yosemite

San Francisco Chronicle - May 22, 2002

Hoping to keep Sudden Oak Death out of Yosemite National Park, officials on Tuesday quarantined firewood, soil and plants from counties where the disease has been found.

The quarantine was imposed on host materials of the disease that attacks and kills black oaks, maples, azaleas, bay laurels, buckeye and tan oak. These species of trees account for a quarter of Yosemite's forests and woodlands.

Counties cited in the order are Alameda, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma counties, as well as Curry County in Oregon.

Since its discovery in Marin County in 1995, Sudden Oak Death has killed 10, 000 trees in Marin County and more than 100,000 trees along the Central California Coast. No cure has been found.

Park officials are urging visitors to take special precautions when traveling from affected areas into the park. They suggested cleaning shoes, bikes, pets' paws and vehicles before entering the park.