Pot Mountain Fire Trail Closures: Pentagon Creek Trail #173 and Pot Mountain Trail #359

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Forest Service, Flathead National Forest

Spotted Bear Ranger District

Trail Closures

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50b, the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) 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 (the “Described Trails”):

1. Being on a Trail, pursuant to 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

1. Pentagon Creek Trail #173 from junction with Chair Mountain Trail #686 to junction with Switchback Pass Trail #177.
2. Pot Mountain (Elk Ridge) Trail #359 in its entirety. 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public safety for the Pot Mountain Fire.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 21, 2025 at 15:00 through December 1, 2025 at 20:00, unless rescinded.
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/r01/flathead/alerts.
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, (406) 758-5376, and 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 on the same Described Trails.

Signed and issued on _August 21, 2025.

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