Lonesomewood Prescribed Fire: Which Roads and Trails Are Closed on Custer Gallatin National Forest Through October 18

What is prohibited

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a)(b), the order prohibits:

1. Entering or being on National Forest land within the described area (36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e))
2. Being on any National Forest roads and trails within the described area (36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a))

Boundary in the order’s own words

The closure area includes all National Forest System lands shown in Exhibit A surrounding the Lonesomewood prescribed fire. The area closed to human entry is enclosed by:

• Road #1735 from the junction of Road #2525 north to the junction with Road #1789
• Then Road #1789 northwest to the junction with Trail #217
• Then southeast along Trail #217 to the trailhead in section 9
• Then west along the south boundary of Section 9 and following the Forest boundary
• Then west along the south boundaries of Sections 16 and 17 back to Road #1735

Named closed segments also include Road #1735 (junction Road #2525 to Road #1789), Road #1789 (Road #1735 to Trail #217), and Trail #217 from the trailhead in T13S, R44E Section 9 to Road #1789.

Bring the official map (Lonesomewood Rx MAP 01-11-07-26-03). Do not navigate this closure from memory.

Exemptions

Exempt under 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e):

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 specifically exempting them from this Order, or a written determination 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

Purpose and timing

• Purpose: public safety during prescribed fire operations
• In effect: September 16, 2026, 8:00 a.m. through October 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m., unless rescinded
• Order number: 01-11-07-26-03
• Issued: September 15, 2026, Forest Supervisor, Custer Gallatin National Forest

A violation is framed as a Class B misdemeanor: fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

Contacts

• Hebgen Lake Ranger District, West Yellowstone: (406) 823-6961
• Custer Gallatin National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Bozeman: (406) 587-6710

Alert page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/alerts/lonesomewood-prescribed-fire-area-road-and-trail-closure

How this differs from a general forest closure

A general forest closure can sweep large recreation zones for weeks or months after a wildfire. This Lonesomewood order is tied to prescribed fire operations on a mapped Hebgen Lake Ranger District block, with a clock that ends the afternoon of October 18, 2026 unless the Forest Service rescinds it earlier. Read the map; do not assume the whole district is closed.

Not legal advice. Not a newspaper. Not Legal Publication. Record of Sale, LLC (Oregon).

Notes and sources

1. Source: USDA Forest Service, Custer Gallatin National Forest alert — Lonesomewood Prescribed Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure (Order 01-11-07-26-03). https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/alerts/lonesomewood-prescribed-fire-area-road-and-trail-closure
2. Facts are from the official Forest Service alert/order text only. Exhibit A map controls the boundary. No invented acreages.
3. Author: Ryan Standley / Record of Sale, LLC / Notice Nearby.
4. Discussed on @NoticeNearYou: (pending — fill xPostUrl after live post).
5. Not legal advice. Not a newspaper. Not Legal Publication. Record of Sale, LLC (Oregon).