Single Publication

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads; and trails on the Hungry Horse Ranger District, Flathead National Forest described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A.

1. It is prohibited go into the areas, including to be upon any road or trail in the area, closed for the protection of: Public health or safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).

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 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).
2.    Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREAS

 Hungry Horse Reservoir Area The northern boundary of the East Side closure area starts at the northeastern most corner of the Coram Experimental Forest boundary in section 26 T28N R19W and follows this boundary east to Desert Mountain and then due east to the Great Bear Wilderness boundary. The eastern boundary then runs southeast alo11g tl,e Great Bear WiltteI1Ies-s bouridary to Prospector IVlountarn and the Great Bear Wilderness boundary in section 9 T27N R16W. The southern boundary runs from Prospector Mountain west along the Hungry Horse/Spotted Bear District boundary where it crosses NFS Road 38. From this point, the boundary crosses Hungry Horse Reservoir to NFS Road 895G and follows NFS Road 895G, NFS Road 895F, NFS Trail #64 to the Jewel Basin Hiking Area boundary. The western boundary runs from the point where NFS Trail #64 meets the Jewel Basin Hiking Area boundary north along the Jewel Basin Hiking Area Boundary to the Swan Lake District boundary. It follows the district boundary to where it meets NFS Trail #7 (Alpine 7) in PB39 T28N R19W and continues along NFS Trail #7 to Doris Mountain in section PB42 T29N RR19W. The northern boundary is from Doris Mountain in a straight line to Alpha Lake. It then follows Alpha Creek northeast to NFS Road 895 (West Side Road) and the west abutment of Hungry Horse Dam. It follows the waterline north and east to the SW corner of section 23 T30N R19W, which is about 1 mile west of Abbot Bay Boat Launch. It continues north along the west side of section 23 T30N R19W to the west Coram Experimental Forest boundary and continues long this boundary to its northeastern most corner. 

NFS Road 895 will remain open approximately 800 feet south of the west abutment of Hungry Horse Dam to facilitate traffic flow. 
The waters of Hungry Horse Reservoir and all islands are closed from Hungry Horse Dam to the Spotted Bear District boundary. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public and firefighter safety due to fire activities on the Ridge Fire, Doris Point Fire, Tin Soldier Complex and other fires in the area.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.    This Order shall be in effect from August 8, 2023 at 0700 through December 31, 2023 at 1700, unless rescinded.
2.    A map identifying the Described Area 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/flathead/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. § § 

5.    Contact the Hungry Horse Ranger District (406) 387-3800 or the Flathead National Forest Supervisor's Office in Kalispell, MT, at (406) 758-5208 for more information about this Order.
6.    This Order supersedes the previous Order issued August 3, 2023 prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Ridge Fire Area.