Single Publication

The Forest has issued an area closure around the fire area, north of Whitehall on the Butte Ranger District. An area closure often involves specific trail and road sections. The area closure information and maps can be found on the Forest website, under the Closures and Alerts tab.

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Butte Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
1. To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health and 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. Owners or lessees of land in the area.
2. Residents in the area.
3. 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).
4. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA
This closure applies to the following National Forest System (NFS) lands, approximately 15 miles north of Whitehall, MT.
1. Area Closure. All of the National Forest System lands within:
• T3N, R5W, SECTIONS 1, 2, 3
• T4N, R5W SECTION 35

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is for public safety due to wildfire and active fire suppression activities.

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on August 22, 2024 through October 15, 2024, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area/Roads/Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order Exhibit A, go to Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)
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 Butte Ranger District in Butte, MT, (406) 494-2147, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Supervisor's Office in Dillon, MT, (406) 683-3900, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area/Roads/Trails.