The state has closed a section of the McClintic Wildlife Management Area where gunpowder stored in an underground bunker exploded in May.
The state Division of Natural Resources said Tuesday that the state Fire Marshal's Office ordered the closure because of the risk of fire or explosion.
DNR wildlife resources chief Curtis Taylor says the order applies to about 175 acres. The Mason County wildlife management area's remaining 3,665 acres remain open to the public.
During World War II, the U.S. Army built several concrete bunkers on the property to store munitions. The DNR now owns the bunkers and leases them for storage.
On May 17, gunpowder stored in one bunker exploded. No one was injured and an investigation is continuing.
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