Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Associated Documents

Forest Order

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Bessey and Pine Ridge Ranger District, to include Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest and Oglala National Grassland in the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Appendix A and B, hereinafter referred to as the “Described Area”:

1. Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in:
   1. A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
   2. A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or

   3. A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
       

      36 CFR § 261.52(a).

2. Using an explosive. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b)
3. Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 36 CFR § 261.52(d)
4. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 CFR § 261.52(h)

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 service in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA

All FS lands within the Bessey and Pine Ridge Ranger Districts of the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands, to include Samuel R McKelvie National Forest and Oglala National Grassland as shown in Exhibit A & B

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.
IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from 15 September 2025 at 0001 through 31 December 2025 at 0800, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is incorporated into this Order as Appendix A. For a digital version of this Order and Appendix A, go to https://www.blackhillsfirerestrictions.com/
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. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Bessey Ranger
   Order Number: # 02-07-00-25-09-2025  District Office in Halsey, NE (308) 533-2257, and Pine Ridge Ranger District in Chadron, NE (308) 432-0300, at the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Chadron, NE (308) 432-0300.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
    

Signed in Chadron, NE this 15 day of September, 2025.

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