Single Publication

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Bighorn National Forest
Tongue and Medicine Wheel Ranger Districts
Fire Area Closure
 

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Tongue and Medicine Wheel Ranger Districts, Bighorn National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 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 force in the performance of an official duty.
 

DESCRIBED AREA
The Described Area starts at the northeastern boundary of the Bighorn National Forest where Forest Road 111, Red Springs Road leaves the Forest. It follows the Forest Boundary east then south-southeast to the location Forest System Road 319 enters the Forest. Then following and including Forest System Road 319 to its end where it meets Forest System Trail 200. Then following and including Forest System Trail 200 south along Willow Park Reservoir to Forest System Trail 038. Then following Forest System Trail 038 west-northwest to the Cloud Peak Wilderness boundary. Then following the northern wilderness boundary to the Sheridan County/Big Horn County line near Woodchuck Pass. Then following the county line northwest to where it crosses Forest System Road 226. Then following and including Forest System Road 226 north to where it meets Forest System Road 26. Then following and including Forest System Road 26 west-northwest to Highway 14. Then turning north following Highway 14 to
 

Order Number: 02-02-06-24-08
Burgess Junction. Then to the west following Highway 14A to Forest System Road 14. Then turns north following and including Forest Road 14 north to Forest System Road 11. Then following and including Forest System Road 11 north-northwest to Forest System Road 111. Then following and including Forest System Road 111 northeast to the Forest Boundary.
This closure includes all National Forest System Roads and Trails within the Described Area.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect firefighter and public safety during the response to the Elk Fire.
 

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from October 14, 2024 at 08:00 a.m. through December 31, 2024, at 12:00 a.m., unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, 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/detail/bighorn/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd1090225.
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 Bighorn National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Sheridan, Wyoming, (307) 674-2600, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
 

Signed and issued on October 14, 2024.
____________________________________________
Andrew K. Johnson, Forest Supervisor
Bighorn National Forest