Benny Creek Campground/Southfork Day Use Area Closure Order - Springerville Ranger District

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) roads, trails, and lands in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area/Roads/Trails”):

1. Public health or safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
2. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
3. Being on the 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 Oder), 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/ROADS/TRAILS

As shown in the map at Exhibit A, the Described Area encompasses all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Benny Creek Campground, and the Southfork Day Use Area.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety within burned areas of the 2025 Greer Fire.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from September 30, 2025, at 8:00 AM through September 30, 2027, at 8:00 AM, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, 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/alerts/asnf/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 Springerville Ranger District in Springerville, (928) 333-6200, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Springerville (928) 333- 6200, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area, Road, or Trail.

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