As part of celebrating Veterans Day, Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks will waive entrance fees for all U.S. military veterans and current members of the U.S. armed forces and their families Tuesday.

This annual “Fee Free Day” is an interagency event, said a news release from Mount Rainier National park. The National Park Service will participate in celebrating this event with all other Department of Interior bureaus and the U.S. Forest Service in waiving entrance fees for U.S. military veterans and active duty military personnel.

Marine toxin tests have shown razor clams are safe to eat, so the next razor clam dig will begin Thursday.

Four nights of digging are scheduled at Copalis and Mocrocks, today through Sunday, while Long Beach and Twin Harbors are scheduled to be open Friday through Sunday, according to a news release from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Digging allowed from noon and midnight.

Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager, recommends diggers take lights or lanterns with them due to the times of the low tides. He also recommends checking weather and surf forecasts before heading out.

The forecast Monday afternoon called for swells reaching 18 feet today and tonight, dropping to 11 feet on Friday. Such high swells could pose a danger to people on the beach, especially after dark.

The times for the low tides are: today, 6:27 p.m.; Friday, 7:15 p.m.; Saturday, 8:04 p.m.; and Sunday, 8:54 p.m.

Harvesters are allowed to keep no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container, the release said.

A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2008 annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination fishing license is valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions.

The next dig is tentatively set for Dec. 11-14 at Copalis and Mocrocks and Dec. 12-14 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks. Dates of future digs will be announced after the December opening, once the state has assessed the number of clams taken so far this season.

Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park will remain closed at least until spring, the release said. The beach was closed all last season because the clam population was low. While numbers have rebounded, the clams are still too small to harvest.