Forest order NFGT Fire Closure 2022

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE

NATIONAL FORESTS & GRASSLANDS IN TEXAS ORDER NO. 08-13-00-21-149

Pursuant to Title 16 U.S.C. § 551 and Title 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. The National Forests & Grasslands in Texas is comprised of the Sam Houston, Davy Crocket, Sabine, Angelina National Forest and Caddo, Lyndon B. Johnson Grasslands (See Attached Maps). This Forest Order is effective from the date signed by the Forest Supervisor until December 31, 2026, or until terminated by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.

Prohibitions. The following acts are prohibited:

1. Building, maintaining or attending a fire on or within 300 feet of any designated trail or developed parking area. [Ref. § 261.52(a)]
2. Using an explosive.     [Ref. § 261.52(b)]
3. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. [Ref. § 261.52(f)]
4. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standards 5100-1. [Ref. § 261.52G)]
5. Building, maintaining or attending a fire or charcoal grill anywhere on National Forest Land in counties where an active bum ban is in place. [Ref. § 261.52(k)]

Exemptions. Pursuant to 36 C.F.R § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of their official duty.
3. Persons with a Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order, Form FS-7700-48, specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

4. Persons engaged in any of the following activities which have been authorized in writing by a permit, contract, or agreement:

   (1) grazing and livestock use, 36 C.F.R. Part 222 (§§ 222.1 - 222.76).

   (2) timber and special forest products use, 36 C.F.R. Part 223 (§§ 223.1 - 223.305); or

   (3) mineral use, 36 C.F.R. Part 228 (36 C.F.R. §§ 228.1 -228.116).

Executed in Lufkin, Texas, this 12th day of October 2022.

/s/ Kimpton Cooper

Forest Supervisor

National Forests & Grasslands in Texas

Violations of these prohibitions set forth above are punishable by fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than (6) six months, or both. 16 lJ.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559 and 3571.