CLIMBING – The collapse of a basalt column on Friday has prompted the closure of the Royal Columns climbing area on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Yakima County, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

Greg Mackey, Oak Creek Wildlife Area manager, said the month-long closure of the popular climbing area went into effect April 28 to protect public safety and to assess long-term use of the site, the agency said in a release.

"Closed are all lands within 150 feet of the cliffs known as the Royal Columns climbing area, and the access trail directly across the Tieton River from the Oak Creek Wildlife Area headquarters off Highway 12, northwest of Yakima. The closure includes about 3.5 acres and about 1,000 feet of access trail."

A large basalt column detached from the Royal Columns cliffs and plummeted to the valley floor at 6:50 a.m. on Friday, Mackey said. The agency did not report any injuries.

Signs about the closure are posted throughout the wildlife area and its parking lots.

Other popular climbing sites on the wildlife area remain open, including Bend and Moon Rocks, Mackey said. The Tieton River Nature Trail also remains open.