Timber firms shut down the woods

Plum Creek on Monday restricted public access and land-use activities on all of its lands in Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Sanders and Ravalli counties.

The restrictions come during a period of continued hot, dry weather and extreme wildfire risk.

F.H. Stolze Land & Lumber Co. imposed similar restrictions on its land on Friday.

None of the following activities is allowed on Plum Creek land:

· Motorized vehicles (on or off-road, unless the road is an “open” public designated road).

· Camping.

· Campfires or fires of any kind.

·  Firewood cutting (firewood permits are not valid at this time).

· Internal combustion engines.

· Smoking (in or out of vehicles).

· Fireworks.

· Cutting, welding or grinding.

· Grass cutting.

· Target shooting, exploding targets or tracer ammunitions.

· Driving on grass covered roads (public or private)

· Parking in tall, dry grass

“Plum Creek appreciates the public’s continued cooperation in helping to protect its timberlands from the risk of wildfires,” said Tom Ray, vice president of Northwest resources and manufacturing for Plum Creek. “The current fire risk situation is extreme and suppression resources are stretched to the maximum.”

Under normal conditions, Plum Creek encourages the public to use it timberlands.

For more information, contact one of the following Plum Creek offices:

Kalispell (406) 751-2400; Libby (406) 293-6204 (extension 227) or 293-6209, Missoula (406) 728-8350.