The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct prescribed burns on select wildlife areas in Polk and Marion counties between October and December to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plant species, and restore and maintain native plant communities.
Ground nesting birds such as pheasants, mallards, bobolinks, dickcissels and many others benefit from habitat improved with periodic prescribed fire. Burning removes the accumulated thatch and reinvigorates native plants by simulating what occurred naturally for centuries.
Areas are typically burned every 1-5 five years and vary in size from 10 to 1,000 acres or more. Burns are conducted on days that meet objectives and weather guidelines defined in the burn plan.
For questions or concerns about prescribed burns, contact Todd Gosselink, with the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau Red Rock Unit at 515-238-6936.
Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) Burn Schedule
· Chichaqua Wildlife Area: Polk County, 5 miles east of Bondurant
· Red Rock Wildlife Area: Marion County, west of Pella