Single Publication

Forest Order No. 06-24-07
Lassen National Forest
Park Fire Closure

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Lassen National Forest. This Order is effective from 08/16/2024, through 12/31/2024.
 

1. Being upon any National Forest System lands within the Park Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
 

2. Being on any National Forest System road within the Park Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
 

3. Being on any National Forest System trails within the Park Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
 

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 Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
 

2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
 

3. Owners or lessees of land in the Park Fire Closure Area, to the extent necessary to access their land.
 

4. Persons registered to stay at Alder Creek Campground for not more than 14 days in a calendar year.

5. Persons registered to stay at Battle Creek Campground for not more than 14 days in a calendar year.
 

6. Persons registered to stay at Elam Campground for not more than 14 days in a calendar year.
 

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
 

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
 

Done at Susanville, California this 16th day of August 2024.

Tara Jones
Forest Supervisor
This Order supersedes Forest Order No. 06-24-06, signed July 28th, 2024.

Forest Order No. 06-24-07
Lassen National Forest
Park Fire Closure

Exhibit A

The Boundary of the Park Fire Closure begins at the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 32 in the City of Chico, and proceeds as follows:
 

1. Starting at the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 32 in the city of Chico,
 

2. then continues Northeast along Highway 32 to the intersection of Highway 36,
 

3. then continues Northwest to west along Highway 36 to the intersection with Highway 99 in the City of Red Bluff,
 

4. then continues south along Highway 99 back to the starting point with Highway 32, as shown on the attached map (Exhibit B).

Please see Exhibit A, attached below for the full list of roadways and trails inside the Park Fire Closure Area that it is prohibited to be upon. 

Forest Order No. 06-24-07 – Park Fire Closure Order

Tara Jones, Forest Supervisor, Lassen National Forest

Letter to File

I have decided to reduce the size of the closed portion of the Lassen National Forest that may be affected by the Park Fire. The Park Fire ignited on July 24, 2024, and exhibited extreme fire behavior, has grown rapidly to over 429,000 acres, and continues to experience very high temperatures and red flag warnings for the area. Suppression efforts to date, however, have resulted in 50% containment that allows me to reduce the size of the closure area at this time. Continued closure as provided for by this superseding order remains necessary, however, to promote public safety within the area and facilitate unimpeded ingress and egress for fire and other emergency responders, as well as owners, lessees and residents of land in the area while limiting public exposure to fire danger and impaired visibility due to smoke. Blow-ups and fire runs are unpredictable, and they pose a serious threat to individuals who are near an uncontrolled fire. Aircraft fire suppression tactics such as retardant drops and water buckets also pose a safety risk to the public. The area closure will keep the public out of the fire’s potential pathway and fire suppression tactics perimeter, thereby reducing the risk of public injury or death.
 

I have decided to exempt all Federal, State and local officers, and members of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty. I have also exempted persons with a Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order (Form FS-7700-48). Authorization under this exemption will only be provided if I or my delegate determine that the risk to personal health and safety is reasonable considering the circumstances of the request. I hereby delegate the authority to sign Form FS-7700-48 granting an exemption to this Forest Order to the District Rangers of the Lassen National Forest. This order also exempts persons who reside within the closure area to the extent necessary to access their residences. We have included this exemption because we are able to effectively monitor the limited roads traveled by residents and a brief traverse along these roads does not pose the same risk as full public access. We may also require appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and/or other safety measures.
 

Consultation was done externally with CALFIRE, Butte County Sheriff’s Office and Tehama County Sheriff’s Office. USFS employees with areas of expertise in fire management prevention, law enforcement and public affairs were all contacted and involved in the development of the proposed closure order.
 

I have concluded that this decision may be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. This action falls within the category identified in 36 C.F.R. § 220.6(d)(l) - prohibitions to provide short-term resource protection or to protect public health and safety - and does not require documentation in a decision memo, decision notice, or record
of decision. I have determined that there are no extraordinary circumstances associated with this temporary closure. Implementation of the decision may begin immediately.