The high winds that pounded the Olympic Peninsula in late November caused extensive damage to a widespread swath of forestland and recreation areas managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Now the agency is alerting visitors that sections of Foothills Off-road and Sadie Creek/4x4 trail systems are closed while crews assess the damage and work to clear downed limbs and trees.

For safety reasons, the state's Olympic Region staffers advise the public to turn around if they encounter tree limbs and downed trees across the trails. State officials ask that the public avoid cutting or bucking up downed limbs and trees, actions that can be highly dangerous. Certain sections of trail also have been washed out, creating even more unsafe conditions.

It may be a week or two before the trail sections are passable.

To find out the status of trails in the area, contact Wayne Fitzwater in the Olympic Region office at 360-374-2800.