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Residents urge Yamhill County to reexamine High Heaven gate closures that limit access to BLM lands
Summary
Two residents testified that the High Heaven gate closure under board order 23‑386 restricts access to thousands of acres of nearby BLM land, sometimes closing early and remaining closed after fire danger has eased; they asked the board to base closures on actual, map‑based fire risk and to improve public notice.
Two residents told the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners on June 11 that the county’s gate closures near High Heaven are unduly restricting access to federal public lands used for foraging, hiking and family recreation.
David Burton, who lives about three miles northwest of McMinnville, said the Baker Creek Road past Rainbow Lodge and the High Heaven gate historically provided convenient access to thousands of acres of nearby BLM land. ‘‘The gate’s scheduled to be closed on Monday, and for probably the next three weeks or a month the fire danger’s still gonna be low,’’ Burton said, arguing the board should reexamine the policy that allows closure during fire season under board order 23‑386.
Burton said closures can turn a 5‑minute drive into a 35‑minute detour and that gate openings and closings have not always aligned with the official fire danger maps; he asked staff to review prior public meetings and provide more opportunities for public comment.
Dan Miller, who said he moved to McMinnville from Maui, described maps he provided showing roughly 4,500 acres of BLM land most practically accessed through High Heaven and said walking or biking from the gate is impractical for families with small children. Miller said the detours make local use unlikely and recommended the board review and consider modifying the closure approach.
Chair said staff are setting up a meeting with emergency management and the Oregon Department of Forestry to discuss early wildfire risk this year and will notify commenters about the meeting; commissioners encouraged commenters to provide their contact information and maps for staff review.
