BLM Emergency Land Closure in place for Wheeler & Grant Counties
By Logan Bagett on Saturday, July 20th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY/FOSSIL – (Press Release from the Bureau of Land Management Prineville Office)
EMERGENCY PUBLIC LAND CLOSURE
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Prineville District, Oregon.
ACTION: Temporary Closure of Public Lands
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR 8364, 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 a fire currently active in the area. The BLM is closing public lands to reduce conflicts with emergency
crews and allow for fire suppression and to ensure public safety, land health, and resource integrity.
AFFECTED AREA: The following BLM-managed lands in Wheeler and Grant Counties are affect by this closure:
- All BLM-administered lands along the main stem John Day River corridor from Service Creek to
Kimberly, OR. - All BLM administered lands along the North Fork John Day River from Kimberly, OR to Dale,
OR.
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: The Prineville District Front Desk, at 541-416-6700
BLM_OR_PR_Mail@blm.gov. This notice and the closure notice will be available online.
DISCUSSION OF THE RULES: All uses within the area are prohibited. Exceptions to these prohibitions are
noted below under Exemptions. Incidents of dangerous fire behavior have been observed throughout the District.
EXEMPTIONS: The following persons are exempt from the provisions of this Order:
- 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. - BLM employees, contractors, or agents engaged in official duties.
- Individuals operating within the scope of their official and legitimate governmental duties.
- Individuals with valid existing rights for access (e.g., Reciprocal and Unilateral Right of Way agreement
holders, permittees or lease holders, or internal landowners); and - 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
