Rayonier Closes Washington Lands to Public Access Due to Fire Risk

Dry weather conditions resulting in extreme forest fire danger have caused Rayonier, Jacksonville, Fla., USA, to close its Western Washington State lands to all general public access, effective immediately. Rayonier owns 390,000 acres of timberlands in Grays Harbor, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Jefferson, Lewis, and Clallam counties in Washington.

"We regret this closure during hunting season, but it is necessary to protect forest lands and the long term economic and environmental benefits dependent on them," said Eduardo Hernandez, Rayonier's Pacific Resource Unit Leader. "We hope the public will recognize the seriousness of the situation and comply with the restrictions."

Rayonier lands will remain closed to general public entry until a substantial amount of rainfall occurs and an announcement is made that the lands have reopened.

Rayonier operates in three core business sectors: Forest Resources, Real Estate, and Performance Fibers. The company owns, leases, or manages 2.7 million acres of timber and land in the U.S. and New Zealand. The company's holdings include approximately 200,000 acres with residential and commercial development potential along the Interstate 95 corridor between Savannah, Ga., and Daytona Beach, Fla. Its Performance Fibers business is one of the world's leading producers of high-value specialty cellulose fibers used in products such as filters, pharmaceuticals, and LCD screens.

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