Single Publication

EMERGENCY PUBLIC LANDS CLOSURE

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Prineville District, Oregon.

ACTION: Temporary Closure of Public Lands

SUMMARY: This notice supercedes the emergency closure of BLM-administered public lands in the Prineville District Office issued on July 20, 2024, near the Lone Rock and Battle Mountain Complex Fires. Pursuant to 43 CFR 8364, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides notice that effective immediately, the public lands described below are closed to all forms of public access. The BLM is closing public lands to reduce conflicts with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and to ensure public safety, land health, and resource integrity.

AFFECTED AREA: Lands in Grant County in the following described area:

• All BLM-administered public lands along and near the North Fork John Day River corridor from Monument, OR to Dale, OR, located in the following townships:

  • T. 06 S., Rgs. 28, 29, 30, 31 E.
    T. 07 S., Rgs. 27, 28, 29, 30 E.
    T. 08 S., Rgs. 28, 29, 30 E.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Prineville District Front Desk, at 541-416-6700 or BLM_OR_PR_Mail@blm.gov. This notice and the removal of closure notice will be available online.

DISCUSSION OF THE RULES: All uses within the area are prohibited. Exceptions to these prohibitions are noted below under Exemptions. Incidents of dangerous fire behavior have been observed throughout the District.

EXEMPTIONS: The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Order:

1. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized medical, rescue or firefighting force engaged in fire, emergency, or law enforcement activities, or public utility employees engaged in emergency repairs.
2. BLM employees, contractors, or agents engaged in official duties.
3. Individuals operating within the scope of their official and legitimate governmental duties.]
4. Individuals with valid existing rights for access (e.g., Reciprocal and Unilateral Right of Way agreement holders, permittees or lease holders, or internal landowners); and
5. Parties who carry written approval by the BLM Authorized Officer (Field Manager or District Manager) allowing access to the described public lands.

PENALTIES: Any person who violates this may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Vehicles found in violation of this order may be removed.