Single Publication

Order Number: 02-02-06-24-08

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Bighorn National Forest
Tongue Ranger District
Fire Area Closure

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 Ranger District, 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 northern boundary of the Medicine Wheel Ranger District and the Tongue Ranger District, following the forest boundary southeast to Forest System Road 26. Then following the northern edge of Forest System Road 26 west to Highway 14. Then turning north following the eastern edge of Highway 14 to Burgess Junction. Then to the west following the northern edge of Highway 14A to the junction of the Tongue Ranger District and the Medicine Wheel Ranger District boundary near Pole Creek. Then north along the district boundary following it to the mouth of Little Bighorn Canyon.

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 This Order shall be in effect from September 28, 2024 at 08:00 a.m. through December 31, 2024, at 12:00 a.m., unless rescinded.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 11, 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 Nationa! 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 September 30, 2024.

Andrew K. Johnson, Forest Supervisor

Bighorn National Forest