Forest lands closed due to danger of forest fires

Longview Timberlands officials announced that they closed about 344,183 acres of the company's tree farms to public and recreational access starting Aug. 15 because of high forest fire danger in Washington and Oregon.

Longview Timberlands officials announced that they closed about 344,183 acres of the company’s tree farms to public and recreational access starting Aug. 15 because of high forest fire danger in Washington and Oregon.

“We are forced to close our forestlands east of Interstate 5 in seven Oregon and Washington tree farms to public access until substantial rains reduce the wildfire threat,” President Blake Rowe said in a press release. “Conditions are extremely dry in the Pacific Northwest, and long-range forecasts indicate the hot spell will continue for some time. The public’s cooperation in staying out of the tree farms during this hazardous forest-fire period will be much appreciated.”

Closures in Washington include: the Chelan, Skagit, Southwest, Pacific Cascades and Mid-Columbia tree farms. Oregon closures include the Mid-Columbia, Clackamas and Silver Falls tree farms. Notices will be posted near entry points, and gates will be closed. Security patrols will increase for the remainder of the fire season, officials said.