Single Publication

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Springerville Ranger District Amended Greer Fire Incident Area and Road Emergency Closure. 

Full Closure Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) roads, trails, and lands in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area/Roads/Trails”):

1. Public health or safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
2. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
3. Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Oder), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS

As shown in the map at Exhibit A, the Described Area encompasses all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary at the junction of Hwy 260 and Hwy 261, following a southerly direction along Hwy 261 to National Forest System Road (NFSR) #409, then following NFSR #409 in a westerly direction to NFSR #8358, then following NFSR #8358 in a northerly direction to County Rd. 1126, then following County Rd. 1126 in a westerly direction to Hwy 373, then following Hwy 373 in a northerly direction to Hwy 260, then following Hwy 260 in a easterly direction to Hwy 261.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for the public’s health and safety during periods of high or extreme fire danger with very limited escape routes out of the described area during the Greer Fire incident.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from May 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM through September 30, 2025, at 8:00 AM, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices.
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Springerville Ranger District in Springerville, (928) 333-6200, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Springerville (928) 333-6200, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area, Road, or Trail.
   Signed and issued on this 22nd day of May, 2025.