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OPEN: FS Road 720 open as of Sept. 28; Lost Horse, Lick Creek, 711 Rd, and 75 Roads are open
As of Sept. 1, 2026, Lost Horse Road (Forest Service Road 429) and Lick Creek Road (FS 5621) are OPEN.
The 75 Road has reopened due to the improved conditions from recent moisture and reduced temperatures in the fire area. The 711 Road has also opened as of Sept. 15, 2026.
Forest Service Road 720 is Open as of Sept. 28. Suppression repair work is completed on Forest Service Road 720. The road is now open for public use. However, please use caution when traveling on this road due to Forest Service personnel working in the area.
Alert Start Date: September 7, 2026
Alert End Date: October 5, 2026
Order Number: Nature Grove Fire Road Closure Order Number #01-03-02-26-11
Contact Information
Contact Name: Bitterroot National Forest
Contact Number: 406-363-7100
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Order Number: # 01-03-02-26-11
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Bitterroot National Forest
Darby Ranger District
Nature Grove Fire 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) road in the Darby Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest, Ravalli County, Montana described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this order as Exhibit A (the “Described Road”):
- Being on the Described 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:
- 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).
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
- Any authorized Federal, State, local, partner, contractor, and subcontractor personnel implementing projects and associated activities on the Described Roads.
DESCRIBED ROAD/TRAIL
Forest Service Road 720 in its entirety
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to ensure human health and safety during fire suppression activities to minimize conflict between responders and the general public.
IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order shall be in effect from 9 September 2026 at 12:01 AM through December 31, 2026 at 12:01 AM, unless rescinded.
- A map identifying the Described Roads/Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go tohttps://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/bitterroot/alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact the Darby Ranger District in Darby, Montana, (406)821-3913, and Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Hamilton, Montana, (406)363-7100, for more information about this Order.
- This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road/Trail.
Signed and issued on 15th day of September 2026. _______________________ Matthew D. Anderson Forest Supervisor Bitterroot National Forest
Maps
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