Updated Skillet Fire Area, Road, Trail Closure

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 
Flathead National Forest, Tally Lake Ranger District and 
Kootenai National Forest, Rexford/Fortine Ranger Districts

Area, Road, and Trail Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) & (b) the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, trails in the Tally Lake Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (Described Area/Roads/Trails):

    1. Entering or being in an area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e)
    2. Being on a road which is closed by order 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. 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

• The closure begins at the intersection of FS Road 910 (Martin Creek Road) with the eastern boundary of Section 22, Township 32 North, Range 25 West.
• Proceed west on FS Road 910 to the intersection with eastern boundary of Section 21, Township 32 North, Range 25 West.
• Proceed south along the eastern boundaries of Sections 21, 28, and 33, Township 32 North, Range 25 West and Section 4, Township 31 North, Range 25 West to the southeast corner of Section 4.
• Proceed west along the southern boundaries of Sections 4 and 5, Township 31 North, Range 25 West to the southwest corner of Section 5.
• Proceed south along the eastern boundary of Section 7, Township 31 North, Range 25 West to the intersection with Forest Road 60 (Good Creek Road).
• Proceed west on Forest Road 60 to the junction with Forest Road 3520.
• Proceed northeast (fork right) on Forest Road 3520 to the road’s westernmost point where it bends sharply east.
• Proceed due north along the west section line to the intersection with the northern section line of Section 23, Township 32 North, Range 26 West.
• Proceed east along the northern boundaries of Section 23 and Protracted Block 50, Township 32 North, Range 26 West to the intersection with the western boundary of Section 19, Township 32 North, Range 25 West.
• Proceed north along the western boundaries of Sections 19 and 18, Township 32 North, Range 25 West to the northwest corner of Section 18.
• Proceed east along the northern boundaries of Sections 18, 17, 16, and 15, Township 32 North, Range 25 West, to the northeast corner of Section 15.
• Proceed south along the eastern boundary of Sections 15 and 22, Township 32 North, Range 25 West, to the intersection with FS Road 910 (Martin Creek Road), completing the closure area boundary.
   

DESCRIBED ROADS

• FS Road 1649 from the Flathead National Forest / Kootenai National Forest boundary (at Martin Divide) south to the junction with FS Road 9875
• FS Road 9875 from the junction with FS Road 1649 to the junction with FS Road 910
• FS Road 910 (Martin Creek Road) from the junction with FS Road 2989 to its terminus at the junction with FS Road 3710
• FS Road 60C from the northernmost private land boundary along Alder Creek in Section 2, Township 31 North, Range 25 West to its terminus.
• FS Road 60 (Good Creek Road) from its junction with FS Road 2890 to its terminus at FS Road 3520.
• FS Road 3520 from its junction with FS Road 3518 to its terminus at FS Road 315
• FS Road 315 from its junction with FS Road 3730 to its junction with FS Road 3710.
• FS Road 315B from its intersection with the northern section line for Protracted Block 50, Township 32 North, Range 26 West, south to its terminus. 
• FS Road 3708 from its junction with FS Road 315 to its terminus.
• FS Road 3710 from its junction with FS Road 315 to its terminus at the junction with FS Road 910.
• FS Road 3710D from its junction with FS Road 3710 to its intersection with the northern section line for Section 16, Township 32 North, Range 25 West.
• FS Road 3711 from its junction with FS Road 3710 to its terminus.
• FS Road 3739 from its junction with FS Road 3711 to its intersection with the northern section line for Section 16, Township 32 North, Range 25 West.
   

PURPOSE

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

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 29th, 2026 at 1200 through December 31, 2026 at 1800 , 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 Flathead National Forest at 406 758-5208 or the Fortine/Rexford Ranger District at 406 296-2536, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts[in/on] the same Described [Area/Road/Trail]

 Signed and issued on August 29, 2026 
/s/ Tamara Mackenzie
Deputy Forest Supervisor 
Flathead National Forest 

/s/ Seth Carbonari 
Deputy Forest Supervisor 
Kootenai National Forest