Single Publication

EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF PUBLIC LANDS
 
 AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Medford District, Oregon.
 
 ACTION: Temporary Closure of Public Lands
 
 SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR 9268.3(d) and 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides notice that effective immediately, the public lands described below are closed to all forms of public access. This action is in response to the Rum Creek Fire that is currently active in the area. The BLM is closing public lands in order to reduce conflicts with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression, as well as to ensure public safety.AFFECTED AREA: Please see attached map. All BLM-managed public lands, roads, sites, and trails in Josephine County west of the Rogue River from Almeda to Grave Creek, then north to the junction of BLM Road 33-8-13 and 33-8-13.1 West and north to the junction of 33-8-26.0 and the 19.3 Road and south to 34-9-27.1, East to 35-9-1.2 then east to junction of Peavine Road and North Fork Galice Creek Road. BLM lands to the west of Galice Road from Galice to Almeda.

The following BLM administered Lands are affect by this closure:T33S R7WSec: 31, 32T33S R8WSec: 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36T33S R9WSec: 13, 24, 25, 26, 36, 35T34S R9WSec:1, 12, 13, 23, 24T34S R8WSec: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36

Roads: Galice Road (BLM Road 34-8-13) from Almeda County Park to Grave CreekPeavine Road, beginning at its intersection with North Fork Galice Road (34-8-36)

Recreation Site: Argo Boat Landing

DATES: This closure is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such time as conditions allow for safe use of the public lands.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanne Klein, Public Information Officer, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford OR 97504, telephone (541) 499-2862. This notice is also available online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

DISCUSSION OF THE RULES: The public must not enter the closure area. All uses within the closure area are prohibited. Exceptions to these prohibitions are noted below under Exemptions. Incidents of extreme fire behavior and extreme fire danger have been observed throughout the District. You must not enter closed areas. This restriction will be rescinded once fire conditions improve and public and firefighter safety can be ensured.

EXEMPTIONS: The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Order:1. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized medical, rescue or firefighting force engaged in fire, emergency, or law enforcement activities, or public utility employees engaged in emergency repairs;2. BLM employees, contractors, or agents engaged in official duties;3. Individuals operating within the scope of their official and legitimate governmental duties;4. Individuals with valid existing rights for access (e.g., Reciprocal and Unilateral Right of Way agreement holders, permit holders, permittees or lease holders, or internal landowners); and5. Parties who carry written approval by the BLM Authorized Officer (Field Manager or District Manager) allowing access to the described public lands.

PENALTIES: Any person who violates this may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Vehicles found in violation of this order may be removed.

EFFECTIVE: This Order is effective immediately upon signature.