Order Number: # 01-10-04-22-10

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Flathead National Forest

Spotted Bear Ranger District

Area and Trail Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a)(b) the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, and trails in the Spotted Bear Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A.

1. It is prohibited to go into the area or be upon any road or trail closed for the protection of: Public health or safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).

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 AREA/TRAILS

Area: As depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A and here by incorporated into this Order, National Forest System Lands are closed that are located in the George Creek drainage. Starting at Fisher Peak in Township 18 North, Range 15 west, Section 34; then northerly along the Swan Divide to the George Creek/Doctor Creek Divide in the southeast quarter of Section 21 in Township 19 North, Range 15 west; then northeasterly along the divide to Shamrock Point and continuing northeasterly to Gordon Creek Trail #35; then easterly (excluding trail #35) to the junction with Cardinal Creek Trail #506; then southwesterly along the Cardinal/Furious/Babcock Creek Divide to Fisher Peak. Trail #35 and #506 to remain open.

Trails: As depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A and here by incorporated into this Order, National Forest System Trail #135 (George Creek) is closed in its entirety.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public and firefighter safety due to active fire suppression activities on the George Lake Fire.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from September 9, 2022, at 0700 through December 31, 2022, at 1700, unless rescinded.

2. A map identifying the Described Area/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/flathead/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 Spotted Bear Ranger District in Hungry Horse, MT, at (406) 758-5376 or Flathead National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Kalispell, MT, (406) 758-5208 for more information about this Order.

6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in or on the same Described Area, Road, or Trail.

Signed and issued on .

Kurtis E. Steele Forest Supervisor

Flathead National Forest