Area Closure for the Fishhook Fire - Routt National Forest

Order Number: # 02-06-03-26-222

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin
National Grassland
Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
Area, Road, and Trail Closure

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. 261.52(e) and 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
2. Being on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on the Described Trail. 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 force in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS
The Described Area includes the current footprint of the Fishhook Fire, as shown in Exhibit A and within 500’ of the Fishhook Fire footprint.
Forest System Road (FSR) 296.1 and within 300’ of FSR296.1, north of Highway 40. FSR 313.1 and within 300’ of FSR 313.1, north of Highway 40.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety due to the impacts of the wildland fire and associated fire incident management activities.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. through December 31, 2026, at 12:00 a.m., unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, and Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.
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 Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, (970) 870-2299 and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland Supervisor’s Office in Laramie, Wyoming, (307) 745-2300, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.