Single Publication

Area/Road/Trail Closure – Sheep Creek Fire

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) area, roads, and trails in the Butte Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area/Roads/Trails”):
1. To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety 36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (e).
2. Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
3. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
 

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Owners or lessees of land in the area.
2. Residents in the area.
3. 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 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).
4. 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
This closure applies to the following NFS lands, roads, and trails approximately 15 miles north
of Butte, MT, south/west of the community of Bernice. In general, the closure is from Interstate 15 in T6NR6W Section 22 Forest Service land, south along Interstate 15 to T5N R6W Section 10, west to and include Forest Service Road 5011, to where it intersects with Road 442 and Forest Service lands east of Road 442 to Road 82 and Forest Service lands south of Road 82 to intersection of Interstate 15.
1. Road Closures. Forest Service System roads:
• 5011, 9389
2. Area Closure. All of the National Forest System lands within:
• West of Interstate 15, T6N,R6W, SECTIONS 22, 27, 34; West of Interstate 15 T5N,R6W, SECTIONS 3, 10; South of Road 82 T6N,R6N Sections 21, 20, 19; East of Road 442 T6N,R6W, SECTIONS 30, T6NR7W SECTIONS 36, 35; Northeast of FS Road 5011 T5N,R7W SECTIONS 1, 12 North of FS Road 5011 T5N R6W Section 7; T5N,R6W SECTIONS 8, 9 4, 5, 6; T6N,R6W, SECTIONS 33, 32, 31, 28, 29.
 

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is for public safety due to wildfire and active fire suppression activities.
 

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on Oct 4, 2024 through December 31, 2024, 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 Exhibit A, go to Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)
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 Butte Ranger District in Butte, MT, (406) 494-2147, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Supervisor's Office in Dillon, MT, (406) 683-3900, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the
same Described Area/Roads/Trails.