Joint Base Lewis-McChord: Access to Training Areas Strictly Prohibited For Public, Installation Residents

(Editor's note: This is an advisory from Joint Base Lewis-McChord)

Joint Base Lewis-McChord officials want to remind the public and installation residents that access to Joint Base Lewis-McChord training areas is strictly controlled. No one is allowed to enter the training areas unless they have obtained permission in advance from the JBLM Range Control section.

The primary reasons for these restrictions are to ensure that there are no conflicts in the use of the training area, and to ensure safety. Many training areas are perfectly safe for public use, so long as visitors get authorization in advance. However, some are in use for current training at almost all times; others have been used for live fire or other training over the years, and may contain hazards. Unfortunately, some of those areas are used by hikers or other outdoorsmen who do not obtain authorization to be there.

For example, portions of the Lewis North training areas off DuPont-Steilacoom Road were used as a bazooka and rocket propelled grenade range during the World War II and Korean War eras. A recent, periodic Corps of Engineers survey of the area detected possible unexploded ordnance in that area. While the possible ordnance poses no threat to anyone outside the training area, they could be dangerous for people inside the area. Additional signs were posted, and the installation is in the planning stages of a project to search and clear the area of unexploded munitions.

However, as recently as this weekend, a number of unauthorized hikers and nature lovers ignored the “Danger” signs and entered the training area – some of them parking their automobiles directly in front of the signs.

In addition to jeopardizing their own safety, people who enter the JBLM training areas without obtaining authorization in advance could be cited for trespassing.

All persons who want to enter a JBLM training area must obtain an area access permit. To learn more about legally and safely using JBLM’s training areas, contact the JBLM Range Control Office at 253-967-6371.