Single Publication

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service BITTERROOT National Forest
Darby-Sula Ranger District JOHNSON FIRE-AREA CLOSURE

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) roads and trails on the Darby-Sula Ranger Districts, Bitterroot National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
Going into or being upon the area described in the Order. 36 CFR 261.52(e) Public health and safety 36 CFR 261.53(e)
Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e). Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
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).

DESCRIBED AREA
•    The closed area is described as starting at the junction of FS East Fork Road and FS Road 73602 in Section 24 T2N R18W East towards the Forest Boundary at Section 19 T2N R17W the proceeding along the shared southern boundary of the Spring Community and Forest Boundary back to East Fork Road at Section 20

T2N R17W continuing northeast along East Fork Road to the junction with Forest Trail 40 at Section 27 T3N R16W. Following Forest Trail 40 to the junction with Forest Trail 169 at Section 14 T3N R17W. Continuing south on Forest Trail 169 to East Fork Bitterroot River and the Junction of Forest Trail 198 at Section 19 T2N R16W. It continues following Forest Trail 198 to the Continental Divide Trail at Section 18 T1N R16W. Following the Continental Divide Trail west to its junction with Forest Trail 462 in Section 15 T1N R17W until Junction with Forest Trail 171 at Section 18 T1N R17W. From Forest Trail 171 west to Forest Trail 172 Trail at Section 13 of T1N R18W. Forest Trail 172 north to Forest Road 5761 at Section 14 T1N R18W. Forest Road 5761 continues north to Forest Road 725 in Section 10 T1N R18W. Forest Road 725 continues north as the western boundary of the closure area closing back at East Fork Road. All roads and trail named above, and all roads and trails within the Described Area are closed.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to ensure public health and safety during fire suppression efforts of the Johnson Fire.

IMPLEMENTATION
This Order shall be in effect from August 30, 2024, at 0600 until rescinded or until October 31, 2024, at 0001, whichever occurs first.
A map identifying the Described 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/alerts/bitterroot/alerts-notices
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.
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.
Contact the Darby-Sula Ranger District in Darby, MT, (406) 821-3913, or Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Hamilton, MT, (406) 363-7100, for more information about this Order.
This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in/on the same Described Area/Roads/Trails.
Done at Darby, Montana this 30th day of August 2024.