Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

USDA Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel
National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche
National Grasslands
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-553-1404

Scecial Order

USDA Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Region
Pike, San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron, Comanche National Grasslands

ORDER 05-02

FIRE RESTRICTIONS
CIMARRON NATIONAL GRASSLAND

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails administered as the Cimarron National Grassland within Stevens and Morton Counties, Kansas. The restricted area is depicted as shown on the attached map hereby incorporated into this order as Exhibit A.

THIS ORDER PROHIBITS:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 36 CFR 261.52(a)

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials at least three feet in diameter . 36 CFR 261.52(d)

3. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame. 36 CFR 261.52(i)

4. Operating or using an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:

a. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a, or
b. Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J3335 (b) and J350 (a). 36 CFR 261.52(j)

5. Possessing or using any vehicle off National Forest System roads. 36 CFR 251.56

6. Possessing or using any vehicle off National Forest System trails open to
motorized use. 36 CFR 261.55 (b)

7. Operating a chainsaw, or other non-vehicular internal combustion engine. 36 CFR 261.52(h)

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1. Applies to prohibition #1:

Persons using petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices that meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety.

2. Applies to prohibition #5:

Persons parking a motorized vehicle off National Forest System
Roads in the restricted area is allowed if the parking area is devoid of
vegetation and is no more than ten (10) feet from the edge of the National Forest System road.

3. Applies to prohibition #7:

Persons with commercial operations authorized under a written contract or special use authorization, are allowed provided they take the following fire prevention precautions:

a. All operations must be conducted on areas that are cleared of timber, brush and grass; and
b. A chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less then 8 ounces capacity by weight shall be with the operator at all times; and
c. One large round-pointed shovel with an overall length of at least 48 inches shall be readily available for use, but may be kept with fueling supplies.

4. Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

5. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer or member if an organized firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These restrictions are being implemented for public safety due to the fire danger on the Cimarron National Grassland.

This order will be in effect from 8:01 AM, July 29, 2005, CDST until December 31, 2005 or until rescinded, whichever event comes first.

Done in Pueblo, Colorado this 28th day of July, 2005.

/s/ Brian Ferebee (Acting)_____________
Robert J. Leaverton
Forest Supervisor
Pike/San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron/Comanche National Grasslands

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 U.S.C.551 and 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571.