State officials urged to close some public lands due to fire danger

Private timberland owners are urging state officials to consider closing some public land due to extreme fire danger, the AP reports. Private forest land owners who normally keep their land open to the public for hunting and other recreation told the state Land Board this morning that public safety is at risk. Consultant Jim Riley said private timberland owners are concerned about human-caused fires starting on state land and spreading to neighboring timber stands.

Gov. Butch Otter was receptive, responding, “I think we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do in order to protect not only our own lands but our neighbors’ as well.” AP reporter Keith Ridler has a full report here .