Photo by U.S. Forest Service Smoldering snag tree in the burn area.

Photo by National Forest Service Map of Bessey forest. Closed area is at lower right.

All trails on the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey that lead into or through the recently burned area were closed Friday.

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There are several partially burned trees, known as snag-trees, that could fall and hurt unsuspecting riders, said Jeff Abegglen, Acting Deputy Forests and Grasslands Supervisor.

Also, many of the ATV trails in the burn area had significant damage that makes them unsafe for recreational traffic, Abegglen said.

But he said the park staff will do their best to keep trails open for all-terrain vehicles in the national forest.

“Because many of our visitors are ATV enthusiasts, we have worked with our engineers to open as many trails as possible,” Abegglen said.

Roads and trails that lead into burned areas will be posted with signs, or with a closed gate, or both.

“We ask all visitors to please not travel into these areas to protect themselves, and to help us protect vulnerable resources. Please respect the signs and closed gates,” Abegglen said.

According to GPS measurements, 1,043.3 acres were charred by the June 30 fire at the Bessey Ranger District, where millions of seedling trees are started each year and distributed to other places.

The forest has 90,000 acres.

The fire started with a lightning strike from a midday thunderstorm, and was contained July 2.