Western Pacific Timber to Immediately Close thousands of acres to Public

From Klickitat County Sheriff's Office:

By Karen Elings

Klickitat County, Wash., Sept 11, 2023 - Western Pacific Timber (WPT) has immediately closed off lands to the public. This closure will affect hunters during the 2023 and future seasons. Due to a change in access to WPT lands the following will be in effect:

1. A warning will be issued if the person(s) is found behind the WPT gate and is on foot or horseback. If they do not leave the property after receiving a warning, they will be cited or arrested for criminal trespass.

2. A citation will be issued, and or arrested if the person(s) has previously received a warning, or is behind a gate utilizing a motorized vehicle (car, truck, ATV, or motorcycle).

The Western Pacific Timber notice reads as follows:

Western Pacific Timber LLC is closing its property in Klickitat County to all public access. Western Pacific Timber LLC’s property will no longer be enrolled in the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Feel Free to Hunt program. All Western Pacific Timber LLC property will be closed indefinitely, effective immediately. This difficult decision is the result of increased fire danger and liability concerns. Questions can be directed to 360-853-3831.

According to the company’s website, Western Pacific has some 59,000 acres of holdings in Klickitat County.