Goose Fire Area Closure

Associated Documents

Forest Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Silver City Ranger District and the Wilderness Ranger District, Gila 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 which is closed for public health and
   safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on a road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on a 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 resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA

The Described Area consists of all NFS lands and portions of National Forest System trails and roads within the boundary starting the northwest at the intersection of the Gila River Trail (NFST 724) and the Gila Wilderness boundary and continues east for 15.01 miles to the intersection of the Spring Canyon Trail (NFST 247). East on the Spring Canyon Trail (NFST 247) for 7.16 miles to the intersection of New Mexico State Highway 15. New Mexico Highway 15 south for 10.74 miles to the intersection of New Mexico Highway 15 and the Tadpole Ridge Trail (NFST 232). West along Tadpole Ridge Trail (NFST 232) 8.76 miles to the intersection of Sheep Corral Road (NFSR 282). North along Sheep Corral Road (NFSR 282) for 3.38 miles to the intersection of Dorsey Canyon Trail (NFST 239). West along Dorsey Canyon Trail (NFST 239) for 2.91 miles to the intersection of Packsaddle Trail (NFST 732). North and then west along the Packsaddle Trail for 1.67 to the intersection of the Gila Wilderness Boundary. West and then north along the Gila Wilderness Boundary for 9.45 miles back to the intersection of the Gila River Trail (NFST 724) as shown specifically in Exhibit A. All roads and trails within the defined are closed.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety during wildfire operations during the Goose Fire.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be able to be implemented from July 15, 2025, at 06:00 am until rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area 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/alerts/gila/alerts-notices.
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 Silver City Ranger District in Silver City, New Mexico, (575) 388-8201, and Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Silver City, New Mexico, (575) 388-8201, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Signed and issued on July 14, 2025
_______________________
Camille Howes
Forest Supervisor
Gila National Forest

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