Knowles Fire Closure

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Lolo National Forest
Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District
Area and Road 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 and roads in the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Lolo National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Roads”):
1. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e). It is prohibited to go into the area closed for public safety.
2. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e). It is prohibited to be on the closed roads.

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

All National Forest Service land, roads, and trails located within Sections 13, 22-27, 34, 35 T19N, R25W. Section 2 T18N, R25W. Section 18, 19, 29, 30, 31, 32 T19N, R24W. Section 6 T18N, R24W. This includes but is not limited to NFSR Knowles Mclaughlin Road 5585 and Knowles Indian Road 18263.

DESCRIBED ROADS

The following NFS Roads:
1. NFS Rd 5585, Knowles Mclaughlin, (from Its intersection with Flathead Reservation (Mile Post 6.389) to its end (Mile Post 9.276). 2. NFS Rd 18263, Knowles Indian, (from its start/intersection with NFS Rd 5585 to its end)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is for public health and safety due to hazardous conditions resulting from fire activities.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 19, 2025, through 2359 on October 31, 2025, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area and 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/lolo/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 Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, (406) 826-3821, and Lolo National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Missoula, MT, (406) 329-3814, for more information about this Order.

 Signed and issued on 8/19/25.

/s Benjamin Johnson 
Forest Supervisor 
Lolo National Forest

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