Blackbear Fire Closure

Order Number: 26-D2-04

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Bitterroot National Forest
Darby- Sula Ranger Districts
Blackbear Road Closure
 

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) roads on the Darby-Sula Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Roads):
1. 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. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
2. 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).
 

DESCRIBED ROADS
• Forest Service Road 711
• Forest Service Road 75 from Junction with Highway 38 to the Junction of Forest Service Road 720
 

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to ensure public health and safety during fire suppression efforts of the Blackbear Fire.
 

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from August 5th, 2026, at 0600 through December 1st, 2026, at 0001, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Roads 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/bitterroot/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 Darby-Sula Ranger District in Darby, MT, (406) 821-3913, or Bitterroot
National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Hamilton, MT, (406) 363-7100, for more
information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts
on the same Described Road.
 

Signed and issued on 5th day of August 2026.
Daniel Mckeague

Troy Heithecker
Regional Forester
USFS Northern Region