Ron and Dorothy Strasser

guy and gal riders,
Last night at short track I was informed that there are "bike riders" ignoring CLOSED BECAUSE of HIGH FIRE DANGER signs on the Longview property gates out near Scappoose. The company is not happy and I understand is going to have police patrol/issue tickets. I know that OBRA / NWTA cannot prevent individuals from entering these areas, but if you know anyone or a group thinking about going out to ride please ask them to not do so (until the fire danger drops and they reopen the area to public use). I feel anyone entering and getting a ticket is getting what they deserve because of his/her choices. Problem is all of us riders not riding out there when it is closed might end up losing because of the self-centered behavior of some. My understanding is if the trespassing continues Longview is considering closing the entire area to bike riding.... thus we could lose a very close place to ride off-road. On one hand, I think Longview understands that we (as groups) cannot totally control these individuals, but on the other, these lands are the lifeblood of the company. They do not want them to go up in flames. Chances are XC riders are not out there throwing cigarette butts into the woods, but closed means closed. I have been riding/hiking this area since the mid '70s and can factually state that since we bike riders have started using the area regularly (last 4-5 years) the amount of vandalism to and on the Longview property has dropped a great deal. I hope we can continue the relationship.
Thanks for listening.