The Washington Department of Natural Resources is closing all of its lands to the public to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The closure goes into effect tomorrow (THU) for all of the nearly 6 million acres of public lands managed by DNR and will last through at least April 8th. Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz says the closure follows a weekend of crowded trails, people shoulder to shoulder, and large gatherings, undercutting the sacrifices that Washingtonians of all means and ability are making in order to adhere to social distancing. The closure includes 12-hundred miles of trails and more than 160 recreation sites. The move is a continuation of the agency’s efforts to protect people by stemming the spread of the coronavirus. On Monday, the agency, along with the State Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Fish and Wildlife, closed all campgrounds across the state through April 30th. (Washington DNR)
