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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 6, 2025
Nearly $350,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants were recently awarded to 105 Iowa rural fire departments to help their efforts to protect Iowan’s and their property from wildfires. The grants offer valuable funding assistance for wildfire suppression, personal protective and communications equipment. Requests were received from 180 fire departments totaling over $565,000 in requests, showing a great need across rural Iowa.
Since 2021, more than 500 grants have been awarded resulting in an investment of more than $1,612,000 in wildland fire preparedness throughout the state.
The following fire departments will receive 2025 Volunteer Fire Assistance grants: Anamosa, Andover, Anita, Aplington, Atlantic, Avoca, Baxter, Belle Plaine, Bloomfield, Burt, Camanche, Castana, Center Point, Charles City, Chariton, Cherokee, Centerville, Cleghorn, Colfax, College-Ely-Putnam, Collins, Creston, De Soto, Decorah, Delmar, Denmark, Dexter, Donahue, Dow City-Arion, Early, Estherville, Fairfield, Floris, Fort Atkinson, Fostoria, Frankville Fire & EMS, Frederika, Garnavillo, Glenwood, Goose Lake, Grinnell, Grundy Center, Guttenberg, Harlan, Haverhill, Hopkinton, Humeston, Inwood, Jefferson-Monroe, Jewell, Kamrar, Kingsley, Lawton, Little Sioux, Logan, Lohrville, Luana, Manilla, Maxwell, McGregor, Monticello, Montour, Moravia, Morning Sun, Moulton, Nashua, New Hampton, New Vienna/Luxemburg, Northern Warren Fire Department, Norway, Oak Township Fire & Rescue, Oakland, Oxford Junction, Oxford, Peterson, Pierson, Pleasantville, Polk City, Postville, Prescott, Protivin, Rolfe, Sabula, Saint Ansgar, Saint Olaf, Searsboro, Shelby, Sheldon, Shenandoah, Sidney, Solon, Strawberry Point, Terril, Tiffin, Toledo, Tripoli, Van Horne, Vining, Wallingford, Wapello, West Branch, West Union, Woodbine and Yale.
These grants are made possible through Iowa DNR Forestry, in cooperation with US Forest Service - State and Private Forestry.
Jason Walker, fire supervisor with DNR Forestry, reminds all fire departments of the importance of submitting Wildland Fire Reports whenever they respond to a wildland fire or provide assistance to a prescribed or controlled wildland fire.
Departments returning these reports receive priority points when the Fire Assistance grant applications are scored. These wildland fire reports are compiled locally and nationally and are reported to Congress.
Media Contact: Jason Walker, state wildland fire supervisor, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-689-0083.
With a couple of above average temperatures forecast this week, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all paddlers that water temperatures remain dangerously cool even though air temperatures feel more like spring.
“Many paddlers, especially those just starting out, don’t realize how cold the water really is,” said Todd Robertson, Iowa DNR River Programs Water Trails coordinator. “The water is still dangerously cold, and cold-water shock and hypothermia can set in quickly.
“Dress for the water temperature, not the air, and expect to go into the water,” he said. “A wet or dry suit and a life jacket are crucial to remain safe.”
Review these simple safety tips before you head out on the water this winter.
- Don’t paddle alone. Especially in winter, use a buddy system.
- Always wear a life jacket.
- Choose a shorter paddling trip so you can adjust for any issues, like low water and falling temperatures.
- Check water levels to make sure you won’t need to get in and out of your boat and drag it.
- Make sure the entire water trail route and water body you are paddling is open on both rivers and lakes. Ice jams can form and water freeze as temperatures drop throughout the day.
- Stay away from wood/branch piles and debris, usually found on the outside of river bends, that can pull you underwater and hold you there with little chance of escape.
- Paddle with a group who is experienced in cold water paddling.
- Wear a dry suit or wet suit, along with layers of wool fabrics to help avoid hypothermia or cold water shock. Outer garments should be water- and wind- proof. Dress for the water temperature, not the air.
- Bring along a dry bag with a set of extra clothes you can change into if you get wet, a first-aid kit and a protected cell phone or weather radio.
- Let a friend or loved one know where you are going and when you are expected to return. It will be easier to find you if you need help.
Media Contact: Todd Robertson, Iowa DNR River Programs Outreach Coordinator at 515-205-6845.
DES MOINES – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host its monthly meeting virtually, beginning at 9:30 a.m., on Jan. 8. The meeting is open to the public.
The public may participate either by video conference at https://meet.google.com/sco-mbns-qva or phone by dialing 442-242-3609 a few minutes before the meeting begins. When prompted, enter the pin 883 789 392 followed by the # key.
Members of the NRC are Tom Prickett, Uriah Hansen, Tammi Kircher, KR Buck, Laura Kudej, Bill Moritz, and Collin Brecher. The director of the DNR is Kayla Lyon.
Any person participating in the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.
The following is the agenda for the Jan. 8 meeting.
- Approval of Agenda
- Consent Agenda (*within agenda indicates proposed consent agenda item)
- *Donations
- *Contract Amendment with Gill Hauling, Inc.-Stone State Park Waste Management Services
- *Contract with Prudenterra- Oak Woodland Restoration-Missouri River Corridor
- *Public Land Management Projects (12.1-12.4)
- *Contract Amendment with Rudd Sanitation and Recycling-Black Hawk State Park Waste Management Services
- *Contract Amendment with Siegel Lawn Care, LLC-Bark Beetle Monitoring Project
- *Contract Amendment with Foth Infrastructure & Environment- Spongy Moth Pheromone Traps
- *Contract with Welch’s Water Unlimited Inc.
- Approval of the Minutes
- Director’s Remarks
- Division Administrator’s Remarks
- *Donations
- *Contract Amendment with Gill Hauling, Inc.-Stone State Park Waste Management Services
- *Contract with Prudenterra- Oak Woodland Restoration-Missouri River Corridor
- Contract with Iowa State University (Ambient Lake Monitoring)
- Contract Amendment with Bolton and Menk
- Small Construction Projects: Road Repair at Springbrook State Park; Septic Tank Replacement at Summerset State Park
- Large Construction Projects
- McIntosh Woods State Park, Campground Project – Cerro Gordo County
- Wapsipinicon State Park, Road Maintenance – Jones County
- Bellevue, Lodge Roof Replacement - Jackson County
- Lost Grove, Boat Storage Facility – Jackson County
- Lake Wapello State Park, Lift Station Rehabilitation – Davis County
- *Public Land Management Projects
- Management Agreement – Dickcissel Recreation Area – Boone County Conservation Board
- Management Agreement – Des Moines River Oxbow – City of Algona
- Management Agreement – Twin Springs – City of Decorah
- Storm Lake Marina – Buena Vista County
- Land Acquisition Projects
- Palisades Kepler State Park, Linn County – Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
- North Bear Creek WMA, Allamakee County – Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
- *Contract Amendment with Rudd Sanitation and Recycling-Black Hawk State Park Waste Management Services
- *Contract Amendment with Siegel Lawn Care, LLC-Bark Beetle Monitoring Project
- *Contract Amendment with Foth Infrastructure & Environment- Spongy Moth Pheromone Traps
- Contract with Bachman Aero, Inc.-Canada Geese and White-tailed Deer Aerial Surveys
- *Contract with Welch’s Water Unlimited Inc.
- General Discussion
Next meeting, Feb. 12, in Des Moines.
For a complete agenda and tour schedule, go to www.iowadnr.gov/nrc
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