Single Publication

Order Number: # 01-15-12-24-07

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts

Area/Road/Trail Closure - Horse Gulch Fire

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) area, roads, and trails in the Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Area/Roads/Trails"):

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).

2. Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
3. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(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/ROADS/TRAILS

This closure applies to the following NFS lands, roads, and trails approximately 17 miles

northeast of Helena, MT. In general, the closures are southeast of the York Gulch Road/Forest Service System Road 4136, to northwest up to and including the Avalanche Creek Road/Forest Service System Road 359, bound on the north by Magpie Mountain ridge line and bound on the south by the National Forest System lands boundary.

1. Trail Closures. All miles of Forest Service System trails:
   • 245,243,248,248A,241,231,233,238,239,240,246,246A,264

2. 

   I

    

   Road Closures. Forest Service System roads:

   •  4136, 4136A1, 4136A2, 4136A3, 4136A4, 413681, 425, 425A1, 425C1, 425C2, 425M1, 425E1, 425E3, 425SPUR1, 425G1, 425E8, 425J1, 425K1, 242, 693-81,

359

1. Area Closure. The National Forest System lands within:

   •  T11N; R01W sections 11-17, 21-28, 33-36: T11N; R01E all sections; T11N; R02E sections 5-8 west of road 359, 16-20 west of road 359, and 30 west of road 359; T10N; R01E sections 1-6, 11 and 12: T12N; R02E, sections 30-21 west of road: and T12N; R01E sections 25-27, 34-36.

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 p.m. on July 11, 2024 through December 31, 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 https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/hlcnf/alerts-notices.

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 8 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, 3581.

5. Contact the Helena Ranger District in Helena, MT, (406) 449-5201, Townsend Ranger District in Townsend, MT, (406) 266-3425, and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor's Office in Helena, MT, (406) 449-5201, for more information about this Order.

1. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area/Roads/Trails.

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Signed and issued on July jj(,'2024.

Forest Supervisor

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest