Olympic National Park has adopted a ban on all open fires in the wilderness backcountry until further notice. Campfires will be permitted only in established fire grates at front-country campgrounds. Along the coastal area of the park, campfires will be permitted only along the beach, below the high tide line, except between Yellow Banks and Wedding Rocks
Meet and greet mountain climbers Ed Viesturs and Veikka Gustafsson, 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7 at the REI Store, 222 Yale Avenue North in Seattle.
Both climbers recently summited Annapura, capping Ed's Project Endeavor 8000, to become the first American and the sixth person to summit all 14 8,000-meter peaks without oxygen.
At 7 p.m., Ed will host a presentation at Seattle Town Hall, 8th Avenue and Seneca. Cost is $15, and tickets are available at all REI stores. Details: 206-223-1944.
Safety issues have prompted the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Ranger District to close the Ranger Creek area (including the airstrip) to certain types of vehicles. The area is west of Highway 410, about 28 miles southeast of Enumclaw in Pierce County.
The closure was necessary to prevent accidents or injuries between light aircraft and motorized vehicles. A safety fence will be built around the runway to control vehicle access.
Vehicles have been using the runway to drag race, and the aircraft parking area has been damaged. Violators could receive up to a $5,000 fine.
Campers will be allowed in street-legal motorized vehicles on designated access roads to campsites in the Ranger Creek area. Access will remain open to the Sun Top recreation area.
