On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) Forestry Division participated in the Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) Blitz at San Dimas Canyon Park.
An invasive species of beetle that feeds on Southern California’s oak trees, GSOB are a persistent danger for the region’s precious native oak populations. To combat this threat, the University of California Cooperative Extension is conducting a series of local survey events across multiple counties, inviting community members to combat the growing GSOB population.
Tuesday’s GSOB Blitz saw a dedicated team of local agency and community partners guiding volunteers in a meticulous search for GSOB indicators. Prior to the Blitz, volunteers received online training on the dangers of the GSOB, how to properly spot these invasive pests in the wild, and to effectively take action to stop further spread.
Following the surveys, scientists and land managers will determine the most appropriate interventions. Alongside Los Angeles County’s initiative, other counties, including Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura, are conducting their own GSOB Blitz surveys.
This collaborative effort involved the LACoFD, the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources Division. For more detailed information on infestations, future blitz events and community actions to curb the GSOB spread, please visit ucanr.edu/site/goldspotted-oak-borer.
