A sign noting forest closures on Lousignont Road in Timber on Wednesday, September 16. Photo: Chas Hundley
The Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests are expected to reopen to public use on Friday, September 18 at 1 a.m., according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.
However, the fire danger is expected to remain at “High,” which comes with additional restrictions for those hiking, biking, kayaking, hunting, off-roading, and doing other activities in these ODF-managed forests.
“Campfire restrictions remain in place. Campfires only in the metal fire pits installed by ODF in designated campgrounds and in designated campsites,” noted ODF spokesperson Jason Cox in an email to the Banks Post.
Current restrictions can be viewed at gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html.
Logging and other industrial activities will be allowed to resume in the forest beginning Thursday, September 17 at 1 a.m., with differing Industrial Fire Precaution Levels depending on which of the three zones one is working in, which can be viewed at gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html.
The Tillamook and other state forests were first closed to public use on Wednesday, September 9, with a full closure to logging and other industrial activities following on Friday, September 11.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.