Single Publication

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Bitterroot National Forest
Darby-Sula Ranger District

JOHNSON FIRE AREA CLOSURE

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) land area, including roads, trails & developed recreation sites on the Darby-Sula Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as “Exhibit A”.
1. Going into or being upon the area described in the Order. 36 CFR § 261.52(e).
2. Public health or safety 36 CFR § 261.53(e).
3. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
4. Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
5. Entering or using a developed recreation site. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b).

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
2. Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization or other authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

AREA DESCRIPTION INCLUDING ROADS, TRAILS & DEVELOPED SITES
The closure area starts at the intersection of the East Fork Road and Forest Road 723 continuing Forest Road 723 to the intersection of the western side of Section 7 T2N R 17W. Continuing north along the west side of Section 6 T2N R 17W and Sections 31, 30, 19, 18 & 7 to the Continental Divide. Then following the Continental Divide trending east and then south to the intersection with Forest Trail 40 at Section 27 T3N R16W. Continuing south on the Continental Divide to an area where it changes direction at Section 32 T3N R16W and then continuing south into the Clifford drainage to Forest Trail 169 south to the East Fork of the Bitterroot River at the Junction of Forest Trail 433 at Section 19 T2N R16W. It continues following Forest Trail 433 to Forest Trail 198 at Section 19 T2N R16W. Following Forest Trail 198 south to the Continental Divide, then east on the Continental Divide to the intersection of Forest Trail 462 in Section 20 T1N R17W, then continuing along Forest Trail 462 to the junction with Forest Trail 171 at Section 18 T1N R17W. Then, it continues Forest Trail 171 west to Forest Trail 172 Trail at Section 13 of T1N R18W. Following Forest Trail 172 north to Forest Road 5761 at Section 14 T1N R18W. The closure then continues along Forest Road 5761, transitioning north to Forest Road 725 in Section 10 T1N R18W. On Forest Road 725 it continues north as the western boundary of the closure area back to the East Fork Road where it crosses the East Fork Road Section 24 T2N R18W following it west to the intersection of the East Fork Road and Forest Road 723.
Developed sites closed by this order are Martin Creek Campground and the East Fork Guard Station.
Access to Private Property including the Springer, Bonanza, Little East Fork and other areas are not affected by this closure.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to ensure public health and safety during fire suppression efforts of the Johnson Fire.

IMPLEMENTATION
This Order shall be in effect from September 5, 2024, at 6am until rescinded or until October 31, 2024, at 6am, whichever occurs first.
A map identifying the Described Roads and 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/bitterroot/alerts-notices.
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.

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.
Contact the Darby-Sula Ranger District in Darby, MT, (406) 821-3913, or Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Hamilton, MT, (406) 363-7100, for more information about this Order.

This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in/on the same Described Area/Roads/Trails.

Done at Hamilton, Montana this 5th day of September 2024.