Single Publication

Order Number: 24-D2-02

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Bitterroot National Forest
Darby-Sula Ranger District
Railroad and Daly Creek Fires -Area and Road Closure

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"): 

PROHIBITIONS

Going into or being upon the area described in the Order. 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.
2.    Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization • or other authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

DESCRIBED AREA

The boundary of the closed area, as further depicted on Exhibit A, starts at junction of FS Road 75 and FS Road 62736 in the NW ¼ of Section 20 T 4N R 18W proceeding 4.5 miles down Trail 87 to Junction with Trail 313, SE to Rooster Comb in Section 2 T3N R18W. Progressing North from Trail 313 along Forest Boundary 15 miles to Section 11 T5N .R1 SW. Connecting NW for 1 mile from Trail 313 to FS Road 62618 at Section 3 T5N R1 SW. Continuing SW along FS Road 62618 for 2.5 miles to Section 9 T5N R1 SW at Junction of HWY 38 and FS Road 711. Additionally, from Junction of FS Road 75 and FS Road 720 in NE¼ Section 7 T4n R1 SW for 3 miles to Eastern Portion of Section PB38 T4N R1 SW at FS Road 1370 Junction progressing North along FS Road 1370 to Trail 154 at Section PB46 T5N R19W 5 miles to Junction of FS Road 75 and HWY 38. All roads and trails described above and otherwise 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 Railroad and Daly Creek Fires. 

IMPLEMENTATION: 

This Order shall be in effect from August 26th, 2024 at 0600 until rescinded or until October 31, 2024 at 0001, whichever occurs first.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/bitterroot . 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. 

Signed and Issued on 8/26/2024

Matt Anderson, Forest Supervisor, Bitterroot National Forest