Fire Danger

[OR Coast Range]

OK.

This is going to be a bad year for forest closures due to fire danger. I have heard rumours that most privately owned land will remain closed and I have a bad feeling about BLM land and state forests. Unless we get some heavy duty rain we could be in for a long season.

My question: Is there much we can do about this? And how severe can the closures get? Will they close the forests for the complete season? What are my options for hunting in NW OR?

[Norm]

If your stick hunting, it could be a short year. So far most of the north coast is open and should remain that way for at least two weeks. I don't have a report on the werehauser (sp?) on the north coast, but state and Willamete indestries are open. If things close look at MT Hebo, it's national forest and does not close even when the state lands do.

[SLEDDER]

Longview fiber land will be closed except for walk-in only. This is for bow hunters as well as rifle hunters. This piece of info came from the head of security/ forest management for Longview fiber. He resides in Banks. All property will be carefully watched for violators. I hear it is a hefty fine if caught.

[CAGEY]

Granted, the fire edanger is a little worse than normal but with the recent rains that takes a lot of heat off of the officials to close hunting season. Some private property may close but i think BLM will remain open. In the last few years it has been dry and usually no decent amount of rain has fallen even into November. Its still raining in the coast range. We did not get a downpour but we did get enough rain to help things out. Lets hope for more rain as everybody needs it.