Phantom Creek RX Closure Order

Associated Documents

Forest Order

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 on the Pikes Peak Ranger District, Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area” and “Described Roads”, and “Described Trails”:

1. Entering or being in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on the Described Roads. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on the Described Trails. 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 the 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 fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED Area, Roads, and Trails

The described area is Phantom Creek, Davis Gulch and Spruce Gulch, in Teller County, Colorado, in Township 11 South Range 70 W, Sections 34 and 35 and Township 12 South Range 70 W, sections 2 – 4, 8 – 11, 17 and 16. 

The Described Area is all NFS lands within the following boundaries: beginning South of Forest Road 363 in Section 8; following Forest Road 363 northeast to the intersection of Forest Road 363 B; following Forest Road 363 B South to its intersection with Forest Road 355; continuing along Forest Road 355 to the intersection of 717 D trail; continuing along 717 D Southwest to West Creek; following West Creek to the center of section 10; Including all of Section 10; following the section line directly south to the Intersection of Yucca Creek Road/ FR 359 M; continuing along trail 717 to the west to the 363 E road; continuing along the 363 E road back to the intersection with Forest Road 363. The Described Area includes the Phantom Creek OHV staging area and dispersed campsites on the south side of Forest Road 363.

The Described Roads are NFS roads (NFSR) within the described area, including NFSR 363 B, NFSR 977, NFSR 978, NFSR 981, NFSR 983 and NFSR 355 north of the intersection with trail 717 D, but not NFSR 363. 

The Described Trails are all NFS trails (NFST), which include portions of NFST 717 from the intersection with NFSR 363 South to the intersection with NFSR 359 M; NFST 717 B south of NSFR 363; NFST 717 C; and NFST 717 D west of the intersection with NFSR 355.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is for public safety during implementation of the Phantom Creek prescribed fire.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from September 15, 2025, at 12:01 AM through November 15th, 2025, at 11:59 PM, unless rescinded. This order is only enforceable during active prescribed burning operations.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, and Trails 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/r02/psicc/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 Pikes Peak Ranger District in Colorado Springs, Colorado, 719-636-1602, and Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, CO, 719-553-1400, for more information about this Order. 

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