Vancouver — The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has announced new restrictions on industrial operations in the forest, effective today.
The forest increased the Industrial Fire Precaution Level from Level II to Level III. The change means cable yarding work and power saw work is prohibited in most cases.
Other work is allowed only between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. That includes logging operations with equipment capable of constructing a fire line, mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material, blasting, welding or cutting of metal, and any other spark-emitting operation.
All work on the forest requires a fire watch of at least one hour after the operation is complete, according to the U.S. Forest Service, which manages the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Officials previously announced a recreational burn ban on the forest. Campfires are allowed only in metal campfire rings or grills in developed sites.
