Smoke will be in the air again over the Scott Bar Mountain Prescribed Burn area, with burn personnel looking to underburn up to 85 acres tomorrow if conditions allow.

Over the last couple weeks Klamath National Forest fire personnel, with resources assisting from various national forests and cooperating agencies, have accomplished 221 acres of underburning at Scott Bar Mountain. If favorable weather and fuel conditions continue, crews could continue with burn operations through this weekend, targeting up to 250 additional acres.

The Scott Bar Mountain Prescribed Burn is located 12 miles west of Fort Jones. Low-intensity prescribed fire is being used to reduce surface and ladder fuels to achieve the goals of the project. These goals include improving defensibility of communities during wildfires, increasing fire resiliency of timber stands, and improving habitat for wildlife.

Road Closures due to progression of fire in Juniper Prairie Wilderness

SILVER SPRINGS, Fla.,- Due to hot, dry, and unstably atmospheric conditions and gusty winds this afternoon, the Major Fire (started due to lightning activity on April 27, 2023) experienced increased fire activity on the eastern flank of the fire, threatening Silver Glen Springs Day Use Area and private property in the immediate area. As a result, State Road (SR) 19 from SR 40 going north to County Road (CR) 314 and National Forest System Road (NFS)11 from CR 314 to SR 40 has been temporarily closed. Additionally, closures are in effect for NFS 09 from SR 40 to CR 314, and at the intersection of NFS 50 to NE 180the Ave and the intersection of NFS 05 and NFS 44.

Resources assigned to the fire will conduct firing operations to reduce the existing fuel load from NFS 46 to the existing containment line. Helicopters and air tankers are also in use on the fire.

Closures are in effect for the Juniper Prairie Wilderness including the Florida National Scenic Trail between SR40 and NFS 50. NFS 33 between SR 40 and NFS 50; NFS 46 from NFS 33 to SR 19; and NFS 50 from NFS 33 to SR 19 are closed. Silver Glen Springs Recreational Area, Juniper Wayside, and the Salt Springs Observation Trail are closed due to the closure of SR 19.

Visitors to the forest are reminded to be aware of smoky conditions due to the fire. Drivers should

move slowly and use headlights when driving through smoky areas as firefighters continue their efforts to contain the fire. Regulations will be enforced for the protection of visitors and natural resources.

Detour routes for the road closure are as follows: Northbound motorists will go west on SR 40 to north CR 314A to north on CR 314 to SR 19. Southbound will go south on CR 314 to south CR 314A to eastbound SR 40 to SR 19. Limited local access is available at CR 314 and SR 19.

To know before you go, visit:

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/flfnf-major Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalForestsinFlorida

Major Fire

Daily Update May 17, 2023       Release Time:  1030am

Acres:  2978 acres (as of 5/16/2023)              

Percent Containment:  57%  

Start Date:  April 27, 2023

Cause:  Lightning       

Resources:  133 personnel including 1 handcrew, 5 engines, 2 dozers, and 4 helicopters

Highlights:  Afternoon high temperatures in the lower 90s with scattered afternoon thunderstorms forecast today. Winds will be west to southwest today, and crews will be monitoring for hot spots or fire spread due to the change in wind direction. Air resources will be used to cool areas of concern and work continues on existing firebreaks. Fire behavior will likely increase today with changing weather. Crews are ready to respond to new fire starts with the potential of lightning in the area. Additional fire suppression resources are ordered and continue to arrive.

Current Status:  Fire activity was minimal Tuesday with mostly smoldering near the fire perimeter. No fire growth occurred and containment increased from 33% to 57%. Crews continue to patrol and monitor for hot spots, bolster existing control lines, and will be looking for fire spread. Protection for historical and cultural resources, recreational areas, and residential properties in the Juniper Springs, Pat’s Island, Sweetwater Cabin, Juniper Wayside, and Silver Glen areas continue to be a priority.

Fire behavior will likely increase as fine fuels and shrubs continue dry out. The possibility of new fire starts is expected to increase as thunderstorm activity and slightly stronger winds are forecast. Crews are prepared to respond quickly as new fire starts are reported.

Weather:  High temperatures are forecast in the low 90s with lows near 70. Winds will be from the west to southwest at 8 to 12 mph with gusts to22 mph. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast this afternoon with coverage increasing to scattered to numerous for Thursday. Thunderstorms can be accompanied by gusty and erratic winds.

Ocala National Forest & Juniper Prairie Wilderness Temporary Area Closures:  Closures are in effect for the Juniper Prairie Wilderness including the Florida National Scenic Trail between SR40 and National Forest System Road (NFS) 50. National Forest System Roads (NFS) 33 between State Road 40 and NFS 50; NFS 46 from NFS 33 to State Road 19; and NFS 50 from NFS 33 to State Road 19 are closed. Closure Information available here.

Juniper Recreation, Sweetwater Cabin, and Hopkins Campground areas remain open at this time. Travel by residents, landowners , concessionaires, first responders, and permit holders (case-by-case) is permitted on NFS 50 east of Hopkins Prairie Campground.

Air Quality Outlook:  Air quality in the vicinity of the fire is expected to be Good for the next 48 hours. Smoke Outlook available here.

Fire Information

Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM EDT      Phone: 352-448-0665                    Email: 2023.major@firenet.gov

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/flfnf-major

Facebook:  https://facebook.com/NationalForestsinFlorida

US Department of Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Termination of Temporary Closure Order COS01-23-02

Durango SRMA For Animas City Mountain Prescribed Burn Rescinded

Tres Rios Field Office

Pursuant to Title 43 CFR 9212.1(g), the prohibitions listed in Temporary Closure Order COS01-23-02 applicable to the Tres Rios Field Office are hereby terminated.

Executed in Dolores, Colorado this 16th day of May 2023.

Derek Padilla, Agency Administrator

All City of Durango trails, trailheads, and parking lots at Animas City Mountain, Dalla Mountain Park, Tanque Verde and X-Rock are now open. Thanks for your patience to allow the firefighters to conduct the Animas City Mountain Prescribed Burn. 

BLM rescinds Temporary Closure Order on Animas City Mountain

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tres Rios Field Office rescinds the Temporary Closure Order at 11:59 PM on May 16, 2023, that was in place for public safety during the Animas City Mountain Prescribed Burn. 

The BLM conducted a controlled burn on 494 acres of Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak within the Animas City Mountain project area in Durango, CO on May 8th through the 12th. This Type 1 Prescribed Burn required a brief closure of Animas City Mountain trailheads and access points to ensure public and firefighter safety. The BLM used designated trails as containment lines. The two northernmost units were not part of this spring burn to protect nesting peregrine falcons,

“Firefighters suppressed fire activity along the outer perimeter from last Fridays prescribed burn. The public should be aware that they are entering a prescribed burn area that could have possible hazards for their family and dogs, especially off trails,” said Tres Rios Field Manager Derek Padilla. “These hazards will reduce daily as smoldering vegetation burn out and the project area receives moisture. We appreciated the community’s patience during this project to increase fire resiliency in southwest Colorado.”

Possible hazards one could encounter when entering a recent prescribed burn area are smoky conditions, ash pits, walking hazards, smoldering vegetation, and fire weakened trees that could fall over. The interior area of the burn unit will continue to have these hazards until fuels burn out and cool off. Please do not report any smoke seen inside the burn unit. Fire resources have suppressed fire activity along the perimeter approximately 132 feet or more inward from the edge and will allow the interior to go out on its own. It’s advised to remain on trails to provide for your safety as well as your family and pets.

This project was funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).  Fuels treatments are part of the BLM’s ongoing commitment to protect human health and safety while maintaining or enhancing forest and woodland health and functionality. The BLM’s success on this project was due to the close coordination with federal, county, and local government partners, as well as non-governmental organizations, emergency managers, fire departments, public health officials, and state smoke regulators.

For information on the Animas City Mountain prescribed fire treatment, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/7852/. Follow on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit and Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWD_Fire.

Major Fire Daily Update - May 16, 2023

Release Time: 1000am

Acres: 2970 acres (as of 5/15/2023) Percent Containment: 57%
Start Date: April 27, 2023 Cause: Lightning
Jurisdiction: Ocala National Forest & Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area
Resources: 123 personnel including 1 handcrew, 4 engines, 1 dozer, and 4 helicopters

Highlights: Afternoon high temperatures in the lower 90s with isolated late afternoon thunderstorms today. Winds will shift from the southeast to southwest today, and crews will be monitoring for hot spots or fire spread due to changing winds. Air resources will be used to cool areas of concern and work continues on existing firebreaks. Fire behavior is expected to gradually increase over the next two days. Crews are ready to respond to new fire starts with the potential of lightning in the area. Additional fire suppression resources are ordered and continue to arrive.

Current Status: Fire activity was minimal Monday with mostly smoldering near the fire perimeter. No fire growth occurred and containment increased from 33% to 57%. Crews continue to patrol and monitor for hot spots, bolster existing control lines, and will be looking for fire spread due to shifting winds. Protection for historical and cultural resources, recreational areas, and residential properties in the Juniper Springs, Pat’s Island, Sweetwater Cabin, Juniper Wayside, and Silver Glen areas continue to be a priority.

Fire behavior will gradually increase over the next two days as fine fuels and shrubs dry out. The possibility of new fire starts is also expected to continue over the next 48 hours as the weather forecast indicates an increase in thunderstorm activity. Crews are prepared to respond quickly as new fire starts are reported.

Weather: High temperatures are forecast in the low 90s with lows in the mid 60s. Winds will be from the southeast at 5 to 10 mph with gusts around 15 mph and shift to the southwest. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible during the late afternoon and early evening hours with gusty and erratic winds.

Ocala National Forest & Juniper Prairie Wilderness Temporary Area Closures: Closures are in effect for the Juniper Prairie Wilderness including the Yearling Trail, Juniper Creek Run west of SR19, and Florida National Scenic Trail between SR40 and National Forest System Road (NFS)50. National Forest System Roads (NFS) 33 between State Road 40 and NFS 50; NFS 46 from NFS 33 to State Road 19; and NFS 50 from NFS 33 to State Road 19 are closed. Closure Order will be available here. Juniper Recreation and Sweetwater Cabin areas remain open at this time.

Air Quality Outlook: Air quality in the vicinity of the fire is expected to be Good for the next 48 hours. Smoke Outlook available here.

Fire Information
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM EDT    Phone: 352-448-0665

Email: 2023.major@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/flfnf-major

Facebook: https://facebook.com/NationalForestsinFlorida
 

Phone: 304-993-1862  Email: 2023.GreatLakes@firenet.gov

Croatan National Forest Web: www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/

The primary objective is public and firefighter safety

PLEASE BE AWARE: Wildland fire engines and equipment continue to be on roads in the fire area and on US Hwy 70 between Havelock and New Bern. Please use caution when driving near them.

Weather:  Warm, dry, and breezy for Tuesday with southerly wind gusts of 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. An isolated shower is possible late Tuesday afternoon, but there are increasing chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms Tuesday night.

Acreage: 32,400 acres; Containment: 90%; Personnel and Equipment: 130 total personnel; 1 helicopter, 11 engines, 2 water tenders, 7 tractor plow units, 1 drone, and 2 track-mounted engines.

Yesterday: Crews monitored fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern and mopped up any close to the fireline. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire, and additional piping and pumping continued.

Today:  A North Carolina Interagency Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire at the beginning of operations this morning. Aviation and ground resources will continue to monitor fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern. Mop up operations with engines, and heavy equipment continue on the north end and southwest portion of the fire.  Major flooding operations for areas of ground fire in the south and southeastern area of the fire continue. Resources assigned to the fire will also be available for initial attack should a new wildfire occur.

Highlighting Fire Effects on the Ecosystem: Ongoing efforts are underway on the Croatan National Forest to restore long leaf pine, an ecologically fire adapted species, to its native range.

Special Note:  Additional fire updates will not be issued daily, but will be issued as significant changes occur. 

• Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place effective May 9, 2023 from 6 AM to 2 PM local time, and altitude from the surface up to and including 1000 feet, daily until further notice, to allow for safe operations of the drone equipped to detect heat sources. Complete information is at: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_2893.html
• Closures: Forest Service Road 203 (Holston Creek Road) and Black Swamp Road remain closed due to fire equipment and operations. Updates to road closures surrounding the fire are at https://drivenc.gov/.  
• Firewise: Information on preparing your home and property to reduce the risk from fire can be found at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA

Categorical Exclusion Statement Ocala National Forest

May 16, 2023

Project Title: Wildfire Emergency Closure Order for Major Fire Operations

Project Description: Pursuant to Title 16 U.S.C. § 551, and Title 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.50(a) and (b), for the protection of public health and safety the following acts are prohibited on all lands and waters administered by the Ocala National Forest within Compartment 64 and the area Congressionally Designated as the Juniper Prairie Wilderness and the timber units south (i.e., Entirety of Compartments 94 and 63, excluding Juniper Recreation area and Sweetwater cabin area), including the entirety of that segment of National Forest System Roads (NFS) 33 between State Road 40 and NFS 50; the entirety of the segment of NFS 46 from NFS 33 to State Road 19; the entirety of the segment of NFS 50 from NFS 33 to State Road 19 . This Forest Order is effective from the date signed by the Forest Supervisor until August 1, 2023 or until terminated by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.

1. Being in closed Wilderness. 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.57
   1. Entering or being in the area.
   2. Possessing camping or pack-outfitting equipment, as specified in the order.
   3. Possessing a firearm or firework.
   4. Possessing any non-burnable food or beverage containers, including deposit bottles, except for non-burnable containers designed and intended for repeated use.
   5. Grazing.
   6. Storing equipment, personal property or supplies.
   7. Disposing of debris, garbage, or other waste.
   8. Possessing or using a wagon, cart or other vehicle.
2. Being on any National Forest System trail, including trailheads and off-highway vehicle ("OHV") Corrals.  36 C.F.R. §§ 261.55(a), 261.53(e).  See Exhibit B (map) and Exhibit E (list) which are attached hereto and made a part hereof.
3. Entering or being in a boat ramp or water access site area.  For purposes of this Forest Order, boat ramp and water access site areas are defined as being within 25 yards (i.e., 75 feet) of a boat ramp or site commonly used to put watercraft in, or take watercraft out of, a body of water.  36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).  See C (map) and Exhibit E (list) which are attached hereto and made a part hereof.
4. Camping.  36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).  For purposes of this Forest Order, camping means the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently-fixed structure.  36 C.F.R. § 261.2.The purpose is for the protection of the public, firefighters, and natural resources during wildfire operations including rehabilitation and salvage, until which time the area is determined safe for the public.
5. Vehicles on a closed road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(a).  Use by any type of traffic prohibited by the order.

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1. Owners or lessees of land, to the extent necessary to access their land.
2. Residents, to the extent necessary to access their residences.
3. Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized law enforcement, rescue, or fire fighting force in the performance of their official duty.
4. On a case-by-case basis, persons with a permit issued by the applicable District Ranger which specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act or omission, such as permits authorizing maintenance on utility infrastructure and corridors, or concession management of recreation areas, which it is determined by the District Ranger that these permits can be done safely and not interfere with wildfire operations

Expiration: AUGUST 01, 2023.       Location: Compartments 63, 64, & 94, of Ocala NF, excluding Juniper Recreation Area and Sweetwater Cabin Area.

The U.S. Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA regulations allow agencies to identify categories of action which do not normally have significant effects, and which do not need to be documented in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA). These categories of actions are called “categorical exclusions1”. The Secretary of Agriculture has established a list of categorical exclusions at 7 CFR part 1b.3. The Chief of the Forest Service has established a list of categorical exclusions at 36 CFR 220.6 (d) and (e). For a project to be approved under NEPA as a categorical exclusion, it must fall in one of the categories established by the Secretary or by the Chief, and there must be no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action (36 CFR 220.6(b)).

I have reviewed this project for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and have determined that it falls under section 31.1 of the Forest Service Handbook 1905.15 chapter 30, which are Categories for which project or case files and a Decision Memo are not required.

More specifically, this project falls under (Check one)

Section 31.11

1. Policy development, planning and implementation which relate to routine activities, such as personnel, organizational changes, or similar administrative functions.
2. Activities that deal solely with the funding of programs, such as program budget proposals, disbursements, and transfer or reprogramming of funds.
3. Inventories, research activities, and studies, such as resource inventories, and routine data collection when such actions are clearly limited in context and intensity.
4. Educational and informational programs and activities.
5. Civil and criminal law enforcement and investigative activities.
6. Activities which are advisory and consultative to other agencies and public and private entities, such as legal counseling and representation.
7. Activities related to trade representation and market development activities abroad.

1 "Categorical exclusion" means a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a Federal agency in implementation of these regulations (Sec. 1507.3) and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required. An agency may decide in its procedures or otherwise, to prepare environmental assessments for the reasons stated in Sec. 1508.9 even though it is not required to do so. Any procedures under this section shall provide for extraordinary circumstances in which a normally excluded action may have a significant environmental effect. (40 CFR 1509.4)

Section 31.12

 (1) Orders issued pursuant to 36 CFR Part 261 – Prohibitions to provide short-term resource protection or protect public health and safety. [Pursuant sub-part B; § 261.50 (a) & (b)]

2. Rules, regulations, or policies to establish Service-wide administrative procedures, or instructions.
3. Repair of maintenance of administrative sites.
4. Repair of maintenance of roads, trails, and landline boundaries.
5. Repair and maintenance of recreation sites and facilities.
6. Acquisition of land or interest in land.
7. Sale or exchange of land or interest in land and resources where resulting land uses remain essentially the same.
8. Approval, modification, or continuation of minor, short-term (one year or less) special uses of National Forest System Lands.
9. Issuance of a new permit for up to a maximum tenure allowable under the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act ……
10. Amendment to or replacement of an existing special use authorization that involves only administrative changes …..

I have determined that this project is consistent with the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the National Forests in Florida, June 1999.

This project was scoped internally within the Forest Service during the WildFire Decision Support Strategy meeting 4/27/2023 and wildfire briefing 05/02023 with the Incident Management Team, district resource specialists, and Agency Administrator. Implementation of this prohibition does not require sub-surface archaeological survey. A site-specific analysis indicates there are no extraordinary circumstances that warrant further analysis and documentation in an EA or an EIS. This environmental analysis consisted of:

Archeological review completed on: Not Applicable Biological review completed on: Not Applicable

Inter-disciplinary team discussion/review; Determination of NEPA Adequacy.

Since this proposed action falls in an identified categorical exclusion, there are no extraordinary circumstances, and it is consistent with the Forest Plan, I am approving the implementation of this project. Pursuant to 36 CFR 218, this decision is not subject to objections and may be implemented immediately.

   5/16/23