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Dakota Prairie Grasslands Emergency Fire Closure Order
Closure
Date(s): Mar 21, 2024 - Nov 30, 2029
Forest Order: 01-18-00-24-01 Dakota Prairie Grasslands Emergency Fire Closure
Order # 01-18-00-24-01
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
DAKOTA PRAIRIE GRASSLANDS EMERGENCY FIRE CLOSURE ORDER
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited on a county-by-county basis on all National Forest System lands within the Little Missouri National Grassland, Denbigh Experimental Forest, and Souris Purchase Unit when the given county has: (a) implemented a burn ban/restriction; and (b) is identified as having a “Very High” or “Extreme” fire danger on the North Dakota Fire Danger Rating Map or the given county is under a Red Flag Warning. Burn Ban Restrictions and Fire Danger Maps, as well as Red Flag Warning status, are available at https://www.ndresponse.gov/burn-restrictions-fire-danger-maps.
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. [36 CFR 261.52(a)].
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. [36 CFR 261.52(d)].
3. Being on a non-surfaced (Prairie Two Track) National Forest System Road with a wheeled motor vehicle. [36 CFR 261.54(a)] Prairie Two Track Definition: Parallel wheel depressions in the soil with no other recent visible maintenance work to maintain the road. (No grading, continuous aggregate surface, etc.)
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (e), an order may exempt any of the following persons from any of the prohibitions contained in the order:
1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48, 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. Two track travel is allowed during Very High conditions, but the vehicle must have a 2A or greater fire extinguisher, or equivalent, in or mounted to the vehicle.
3. Persons using a stove or grill solely fueled by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels that can be turned on and off, if used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding materials within three feet of the device.
4. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire Order # 01-18-00-24-01, Page 2 fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
AREA DESCRIBED
All National Forest System Lands within Billings, Golden Valley, McHenry, McKenzie, and Slope Counties, North Dakota.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect National Forest System lands, resources, and facilities and to provide for first responders and the public’s health and safety during the periods of severe fire danger.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. Prohibitions contained in this Order become effective on March 1st of every year starting in 2024 and will remain in effect until November 30th of every year ending November 30th, 2029.
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 and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/dpg/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 McKenzie Ranger District at 701-842-8500, Medora Ranger District at 701-227-7800, Sheyenne Ranger District at 701-404-8950 or the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Supervisor’s Office at 701-989-7300, for more information about this Order.
Done this 20th day of March 2024, at Bismarck, North Dakota.
/s/
Bethany Ihle
Grassland Supervisor
Dakota Prairie Grasslands