Yolla Bolly Wilderness Closure
Incident: Mad Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 6/26/2008
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Closure Area located within portions of the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests. This Order is effective from June 26, 2008, through the end of the official 2008 fire season.
- Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Yolla BollyMiddle Eel Wilderness Closure Area, as shown on the attached map (pdf 237kb).
36 CFR 261.53(e). - Being on any National Forest System road within the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Closure Area, as shown on the attached map (pdf 237kb).
36 CFR 261.54(e). - Being on any National Forest System trail within the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Closure Area, as shown on the attached map (pdf 237kb).
36 CFR 261.55(a).
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
- Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Persons with a valid permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
- Residents living within the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Closure Area, to the extent necessary to access their residences.
This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A .
Done in Redding, California, this 26th day of June, 2008.
/s/ Thomas A. Contreras
Thomas A. Contreras
Forest Supervisor
Mendocino National Forest
/s/ Scott G. Armentrout
Scott G. Armentrout
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
/s/ Tyrone Kelly
Tyrone Kelly
Forest Supervisor
Six Rivers National Forest
A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more that $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Administrative Record and NEPA Determination
Mendocino, Six Rivers, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests
VoIla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Closure
ORDER NO. 08-08-01
This document explains my rationale and the regulatory basis for implementing a closure of the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Area on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests as shown on the attached map.
Severe lightening stonns passed through most of northern California on June 20-21, 2008, triggering hundreds of fires and overwhelming current firefighting reSources. Dozens of fires were started on the Mendocino National Forest, many within rugged and remote areas. Many of these fires, especially those within the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness areas remain unstaffed, pending acquisition of additional firefighting resources.
The purpose of this closure is to provide for public safety and facilitate fire suppression efforts, and is enacted pursuant to 36 CPR Part 261.50 (a) and (b) - "Prohibitions to provide short-tenn resource protection or to protect public health and safety". This restriction is necessary for the purposes of ensuring public safety until the wildfires within these wilderness areas can be identified, mapped, and managed to protect publics within the area. This closure will remain in effect through the end of the official 2008 fire season or until rescinded.
This action is categorically excluded from documentation in an EA or EIS (per FSH 1909.15, Section 31.1b, Item 1). It has been determined that there are no extraordinary circumstances. Based on these findings, a case file or Decision Memo is not required for categories of action under this section.
