Pope closes North Kitsap trails, citing fire risk

Published 3:43 pm Friday, September 14, 2012

PORT GAMBLE — Olympic Resource Management, a Pope Resources company, has temporarily closed its North Kitsap trails, citing fire risk.

The closure will remain in effect until significant rainfall occurs, the company stated in a public notice. The closure applies to all of what the company calls its Hood Canal Tree Farm properties in Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties.

Cathy Houston, Hood Canal Tree Farm office administrator, said it’s the first time in the six years she’s been with the company that recreational access has been closed because of dry weather conditions.

There have been no fires reported on the tree farm this year, but “We’d rather be safe than sorry,” she said.

She said company foresters are posting signs on trails.

Pope Resources owns and manages nearly 71,000 acres of forestland in Kitsap, Mason, and Jefferson counties.