What happens when the forest is closed?

[Jonathan_S]

I think it was about 1991, it was very dry in Sept, about one day into fall bear season the state shut down hunting until it rained, DNR was out telling people to "get out now" there was no hunting at least in NE WA for about 10 days.

I could see that happening again this year if we don't get a break in the weather.

They'll need a helicopter to get me out 

[pianoman9701]

I think it was about 1991, it was very dry in Sept, about one day into fall bear season the state shut down hunting until it rained, DNR was out telling people to "get out now" there was no hunting at least in NE WA for about 10 days.

I could see that happening again this year if we don't get a break in the weather.

DNR land, though. Not NF. I wouldn't think the DNR guys have any jurisdiction on NF land at all.

[bobcat]

I believe what happened in 1991, like Bearpaw said, they (the wdfw) closed hunting season. I don't remember if it was statewide or maybe just the eastside. What I do remember is that we were hunting elk in the Manastash unit the first week of November, and deer season was open at the same time. They had extended deer season due to the earlier closure.

[jkononen]

Where's this information?

Hunt other land besides usfs.

That may be all that's open.

Although I'm hopeful Weyerhaeuser will remain open to those who purchased access permits.

One Weyerhaeuser tree farm in Oregon was closed as of July 1st, except it's still open for permit holders. So I'm hopeful that is how their other areas will be handled.

Coos Bay: Our FREE USE AREAS are closed due to high fire danger to all NON-Permittees. Millicoma Tree Farm Permittees and Coos Bay Leasees are still allowed access at this time.
Posted on: 7/1/2015 4:50:03 PM

Weyerhaeuser just shut down their north cascades permit area as of today.

[Curly]

Where's this information?

Hunt other land besides usfs.

That may be all that's open.

Although I'm hopeful Weyerhaeuser will remain open to those who purchased access permits.

One Weyerhaeuser tree farm in Oregon was closed as of July 1st, except it's still open for permit holders. So I'm hopeful that is how their other areas will be handled.

Coos Bay: Our FREE USE AREAS are closed due to high fire danger to all NON-Permittees. Millicoma Tree Farm Permittees and Coos Bay Leasees are still allowed access at this time.
Posted on: 7/1/2015 4:50:03 PM

Weyerhaeuser just shut down their north cascades permit area as of today.

North Cascades Tree Farm
(Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, and Chelan Counties)
North Cascades/Chelan: Due to the increasing fire danger, North Cascades/Chelan Tree Farm non-permit lands are closed to public access. This includes motorized vehicles, walking, biking or horseback riding. If you have a valid North Cascades/Chelan recreational access permit you will be allowed to access the designated permit areas unless conditions continue to escalate.

http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/files/1414/3587/2492/Columbia_Timberlands-Hotline_Message.pdf

[birddogdad]

I recall a significant closure list in 2012 that was for most of bow/blackpowder seasons, even into some rifle deer until the October rains started up... not sure how far reaching it was in the state but it seemed significant.

fed lands had major restrictions, private timber was no trespass...

[Nice Racks]

WDFW lands around Morton are closed to vehicles.

[Fl0und3rz]

I think it was about 1991, it was very dry in Sept, about one day into fall bear season the state shut down hunting until it rained, DNR was out telling people to "get out now" there was no hunting at least in NE WA for about 10 days.

I could see that happening again this year if we don't get a break in the weather.

This, along with private land permit access only permits and the limited time I get afield is why I stopped playing the special hunt lottery here and will only buy OTC right before the hunt. 

I'd much rather save the dollars and spend it in states that are not beholden to wolf and/or other anti-hunter groups, where success is about more than just getting lucky in the draw, paying another access fee, or hunting (MF) in a pumpkin patch. 

[grundy53]

Here is the email I received in regards to Weyerhaeuser's North Cascades permit area closure.

Subject: IFPL 4 in Zone 656 & Zone 658 - Woods are closed to the public effective Tues 7/7/15
Importance: High

 

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources Northwest Region is going to an IFPL 4 in Zone 656 and Zone 658 effective Tuesday 7/7/15. An IFPL 4 closes all lands to the public.  The only activity allowed is for fire patrol and suppression purposes.

 

The Fire Danger rating is going to VERY HIGH on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 in all counties within the NW Region which includes Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island and San Juan counties.

 

The Chelan County land is at a IFPL 3 and is still available to permit holders at this time.

 

Here is the link to check the DNR website for updates on the industrial fire precaution levels.

https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/ifpl/IFPL.aspx

 

We will notify you of any changes as they occur.  We appreciate your patience during this extremely hot and dry summer period.

 

Weyerhaeuser Columbia Timberlands Recreation Team

www.wyrecreationnw.com

[Russ McDonald]

Zone 659N which is North Bend and Enumclaw also went to a 4 which was yesterday.

[Blacktail Sniper]

North ID last weekend... you couldnt start this area on fire if you tried. Miles and miles of terrain that looks like this

Doesn't appear to be the case this week:

http://www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_29b1b6ff-9097-5e7d-b039-6e60f6e3124a.html?mode=jqm

Doesn't look like things are going to get any better, any where soon!!!!

[Russ McDonald]

659S also went to 4 too.

[cryder]

Good to see this is still where to go to stay informed , thanx guys,now don't be fer fergettn the 364 stuff !!

[Russ McDonald]

IFPL stands for Industrial Fire Planning Level.  This only affects work on the forest.  Does not affect recreation.  There are fire bans on forests though in dispersed  camp sites.

[bobcat]

IFPL stands for Industrial Fire Planning Level.  This only affects work on the forest.  Does not affect recreation.  There are fire bans on forests though in dispersed  camp sites.

It appears that Weyerhaeuser is using the IFPL for the closure of their lands.