TRUCK TRAFFIC, TEMPORARY TRAIL CLOSURES IN BLANCHARD FOREST

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) advises those who use the Blanchard Forest near Bellingham to expect heavy truck traffic Mondays through Fridays beginning Monday, Dec. 8. Drivers should plan for additional travel time and use extra care in the forest through spring, when the work wraps up.

Drivers should also anticipate a one or two-day closure of Blanchard Mainline Road to the Samish Overlook in late December. For public safety, DNR will also close the Larry Reed Trail as it passes through the Blanchard Forest Block for up to two weeks in January.

The temporary disruptions are due to a upcoming 129-acre timber harvest expected to generate nearly $1 million for Skagit County beneficiaries, which include the Burlington-Edison School District and Skagit County roads, emergency medical services, ports, and hospitals.

For trail closure or other information, contact DNR’s Northwest Region Office at 360-856-3500.