Updated Skillet Fire Area, Road, Trail Closure

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 

Kootenai National Forest, Rexford/Fortine Ranger Districts

Road 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) roads on the Fortine Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (Described Roads):
    1.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.

ROADS

• FS Road 315 from its junction with FS Road 3730 to its junction with FS Road 3710.
• FS Road 3520 from its junction with 3520 (a) spur road to the junction with FS road 315.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to provide for public safety while road repairs and major culvert replacement activities occur on FS Road 315.

IMPLEMENTATION

    1. This Order shall be in effect from September 9th, 2026, at 1200 through Dec 31st, 2026, at 1800, unless rescinded.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/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 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 September 9, 2026 
/s/ Seth Carbonari 
Deputy Forest Supervisor 
Kootenai National Forest