Single Publication

EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF PUBLIC LANDS

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Medford District, Oregon.
ACTION: Temporary Closure of Public Lands
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR 9268.3(d) and 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides notice that effective immediately, the public lands described below are closed to all forms of public access. This action is in response to large fires currently active in the area. The BLM is closing public lands in order to reduce conflicts with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and burned area site recovery, as well as to ensure public safety, land health, and resource integrity.
AFFECTED AREA: All BLM-managed public lands, south of the Rainie Falls Trail. The following BLM administered Lands are affect by this closure:
T34S R08WNorther portion of section 1 and 2 Please see attached map.DATES: This closure is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such time as conditions allow for safe use of the public lands.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle Sullivan, Public Affairs Specialist, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford OR 97504, telephone (818) 975-0419. This notice and the closure notice is also available online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon- washington/fire-restrictions.
DISCUSSION OF THE RULES: The public must not enter the closure area. All uses within the closure area are prohibited. Exceptions to these prohibitions are noted below under Exemptions. Incidents of extreme fire behavior and extreme fire danger have been observed throughout the District. You must not enter closed recreation sites. Recovery of these areas is expected to continue into next year, 2021.
EXEMPTIONS: The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Order:1. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized medical, rescue or firefighting force engaged in fire, emergency, or law enforcement activities, or public utility employees engaged in emergency repairs;2. BLM employees, contractors, or agents engaged in official duties;3. Individuals operating within the scope of their official and legitimate governmental duties;4. Individuals with valid existing rights for access (e.g., Reciprocal and Unilateral Right of Way agreement holders, permittees or lease holders, or internal landowners); and5. Parties who carry written approval by the BLM Authorized Officer (Field Manager or District Manager) allowing access to the described public lands.
 PENALTIES: Any person who violates this may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Vehicles found in violation of this order may be removed.
EFFECTIVE: This Order is effective immediately upon signature.