In a press release issued Monday afternoon, KCNI/KBBN was informed that the 201 East Fire at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey remains at 4,192 acres burned. The fire is now 80% contained.
On Sunday, firefighters worked to improve the fire line and good progress was made. Recent weather reports call for cooler temperatures with the possibility of a wetting rain. As a result, the fire will be downgraded from a type 3 to a type 4 incident, to be managed by local personnel. Some firefighters will remain to monitor and patrol, while unnecessary firefighting resources have been released over the last few days
The fire area will remain closed; however, portions of the district are re-opened. The fire area closure is necessary to provide for public and firefighter safety as they manage and rehabilitate the fire area. Personnel are working along the closed roads and there are many hazards including fire-weakened trees that could fall without warning.
If you have plans to visit Bessey Ranger District and you have further questions about the closure, please visit the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands Alerts & Notices webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nebraska/alerts-notices.
Due to the fire impacts, all available personnel are working in the field and the office phones are not staffed. If you call the Bessey Ranger District and leave a voicemail message, someone will try to return your call within two business days.
