By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Worries about fire danger have prompted a timber company to close their properties to the public as well as caused an expansion of last week’s burn ban on state-protected lands in Eastern Washington to now cover the west side of the mountains.
Both announcements were issued today.
The majority of Port Blakely Tree Farms property in Lewis County is in the Morton area.
Their closure applies to foot, horse, motorized and any other form of access, according to a company spokesperson.
“With the recent weather so warm and dry, and even higher temperatures expected in the coming days, we are doing what we can to keep our forestlands safe,” Teresa Loo stated. “As soon as the fire danger subsides, we will re-open our lands for public access.”
The state Department of Natural Resources reports westside forests are drying out so outdoor burning is now prohibited in state forests, state parks and other property protected by DNR, with the exception of recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal and other campgrounds.
Fireworks and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns, or tracer ammunition, are illegal on all DNR-protected property, according to DNR.
Last week, outdoor burning restrictions were put into place in unincorporated Lewis County.