Remington Fire Area Closure

Powder River and Rosebud Counties, Montana, August 30, 2024—

The Custer Gallatin National Forest is implementing road closures within the Remington Fire burned area located on National Forest System lands. The road and trial closures are needed to address safety issues including falling trees, unstable ground from stumps and root systems being burned, and falling rocks or debris from the 2024 Remington Fire. Order # 01-11-84-24-02 is in effect from August 29, 2024, at 12:01 through December 31, 2024 at 11:59, unless rescinded.

The Remington Fire, located in southeast Montana and northern Wyoming has burned over 196,000 acres, about 60,000 of which are on portions of the Ashland Ranger District. The fire started 14 miles northeast of Leiter, Wyoming on August 21.

The following roads are closed to all entry, except for those with a Forest Service permit:

• Poker Jim Butte Road #4801

• Poker Jim Butte Road #4801A

The following trails are closed to all entry, except for those with a Forest Service permit:

• 4023 Robers Creek Trail

• 40232 Trail

• 40233Trail

• 40955 Trail

• 4411 O’Dell Divide Trail

• 44112 Trail

• 4419 Brewster Divide Trail

• 44191 Trail

• 44192 Trail

• 47951 Trail

• 47953Trail

• 47954 Trail

• 4797 Poker Jim North Fork Lee Trail

• 47972 Trail

• 4798 Wild Hog Butte Trail

• 47982 Trail

• 48012 48012 Trail

• 48014 Trail

Risks to be aware of in burned areas:

• Falling trees, limbs and rocks;

• Uneven/unstable ground full of holes from burned root systems;

• Difficulty navigating sections of trail; and

• Potential landslides, debris flows, and flash floods.

Exemptions to the closure include persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 specifically exempting them from this Order; Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty; Persons with a Forest Service Term Grazing Permit or special use authorization for an electric transmission line, an oil or gas pipeline, communications site, or any other non-recreation special use; Owners or lessees of land, to the extent necessary to access their land; Residents, to the extent necessary to access their residences.

“Those with a Term Grazing Permit and Owners or lessees of land to the extent necessary to access their land and residences are exempt to the closure,” said Ashland District Ranger, Ron Hecker. “Hunters who may have general season tags and tags specific to the area should check the closure area and fire maps before heading out.”

Burned areas can have increased risks from high winds that knock down standing dead trees known as "snags". Wind can also cause branches to fall from trees, referred to as "widow-makers". If high or gusty winds are forecasted, don’t go into a burned area or if winds pick up in the area you are visiting, leave immediately. Please remember that entering burned areas, and going off trail, can create extra risks for first responders.