Single Publication

Order Number: # 03-06-05-24-002

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Gila National Forest
Wilderness, Reserve & Glenwood Ranger Districts
Ridge Fire Emergency Temporary Closure of Trails & Trail Segments,
Tail #141, #151, #157, & #171

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) trails on the Wilderness, Reserve & Glenwood Ranger Districts, Gila National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Trails"):
1. Being on the Described Trails. 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. 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).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED TRAILS
The Described Trails and segments are located within Township 10 South, Range 17 West, Sections 25-27, 34-35; Township 10 South, Range 16 West, Sections 27-30, 31-34; Township 11 South, Range 16 West, Sections 2-7; and Township 11 South, Range 17 West, Sections 1, 2. This closure consists of National Forest System (NFS) trails and segments of trails. Described trails and segments include NFS Trails #141 from Cooper Canyon Reference Point (33° 22' 37.7" N x 108° 32' 25.9" W) to Trail #175 Reference Point (33° 22' 46.9" N x 108° 29' 40.5" W) approximately four miles in length, Trail #151 (West Fork Trail) from Willow Creek Reference Point (33° 23' 59.6" N x 108° 35' 0.3" W) to Turkey Feather Pass Reference Point (33° 21' 16.1" N x 108° 32' 9.1" W) approximately six miles in length, Trial #157 from the trailhead at Gilita Campground Reference Point (33° 24' 33.7" N x 108° 34' 30.6" W) to trail #143 Loco Mountain Reference Point (33° 22' 58.8" N x 108° 28' 16.5" W) approximately ten miles in length, and Trail #171 from Trail #151 Reference Point (33° 23' 28.6" N x 108° 34' 8.6" W) to trail #157 Reference Point (33° 23' 19.1" N x 108° 28' 32.1" W) approximately six miles in length will be closed.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is for the protection of Firefighters and public health and safety during emergency wildfire suppression activities occurring in and around the Trails.

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from July 12, 2024 at 6:00am through December 31, 2024 at 6:00pm, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described 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/gila/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 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 Wilderness Ranger District in Mimbres, (575) 536-2250 and Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Silver City, (575) 388-8201 for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Trails.

Signed and issued on July 12, 2024.
_______________________
Camille Howes
Forest Supervisor
Gila National Forest