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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: wildfireReturn

Stay safe this harvest season

• 10/8/2024 11:54:00 AM
• View Count 4768

AMES - As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases. Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.

Iowa DNR fire program gearing up for national wildfires

• 5/21/2024 3:37:00 PM
• View Count 2340

AMES – After sending three different type 6 engine crews to Texas in late March and April, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fire Program has been busy getting firefighters from Iowa dispatched to wildfires across the country. 

DNR to host open house to discuss Loess Hills State Forest Wildfire Restoration Plans

• 9/19/2023 2:13:00 PM
• View Count 3914

PISGAH -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public open house on Monday, Sept. 25, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Brent S. Olson Memorial Visitor Center.

Unhealthy Air in Eastern Iowa Today

• 6/15/2023 2:42:00 PM
• View Count 3913

DES MOINES -- Exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulates are expected today over the Eastern third of the State. Smoke from wildfires in both Eastern and Northwestern Canada has converged over Iowa and is expected to lead to fine particulate matter exceedances over eastern and east-central Iowa today.

Wildfire smoke contributes to air quality exceedances in May

• 6/1/2023 4:11:00 PM
• View Count 2644

Des Moines, IA – The Air Quality Bureau has recorded 33 exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) over the last 14 days. Smoke from wildfires in Northern Canada contributed to 32 ozone exceedances and one fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceedance between May 18th and May 31st. Iowa has averaged less than four ozone exceedances per year over the last five years. These exceedances are the first of the NAAQS measured in Iowa this year.

Wildfire Smoke Contributes to Exceedances of Ozone Air Quality Standards

• 5/24/2023 1:22:00 PM
• View Count 3510

DES MOINES – Wildfire smoke carries particulates as well as massive amounts of gases and a cocktail of chemicals that can enhance ozone formation hundreds or even thousands of miles downwind.

Smoke from Canadian fires expected to impact Iowa today and tomorrow

• 5/18/2023 2:33:00 PM
• View Count 8646

Des Moines – An approaching cold front is pulling smoke from Canadian wildfires down to ground level, and areas of unhealthy, very unhealthy, and hazardous air quality are being measured across much of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota.

Smoky Air? Protect yourself from wildfires

• 4/28/2022 1:15:00 PM
• View Count 2162

Air Quality Awareness Week May 2 – 6, 2022 DES MOINES—Healthy air is important for everyone. Breathing smoke, however, can be a risky prospect. 

Wildfire smoke caused air quality exceedances

• 9/2/2021 2:38:00 PM
• View Count 1847

DES MOINES - Several Iowa monitoring sites recorded exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter last month, including two measurements that were more than twice the national standard.

2019 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant applications due Oct. 15

• 8/20/2019 12:34:00 PM
• View Count 2838

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildland Fire Program, working with the U.S. Forest Service, has grant money available for Iowa’s rural fire departments to help battle wildfires.

DNR awards over $220,000 in grants to 92 Iowa fire departments

• 12/19/2017 1:18:00 PM
• View Count 4584

AMES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forestry - Fire Program, in cooperation with US Forest Service - State and Private Forestry, has awarded $224,799 in 50% cost-share grants to 92 of Iowa’s rural fire departments to aid their efforts in protecting Iowan’s and their property from wildfires.

Wildland Fire Suppression Grants Available to Rural Fire Departments

• 7/19/2016 1:25:00 PM
• View Count 5263

AMES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources forestry bureau, working in coordination with the US Forest Service has grant money available for Iowa’s rural fire departments to help battle wildfires.

Wildfire Haze Over Iowa Dissipates

• 5/8/2016 2:16:00 PM
• View Count 4558

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 24-hour health threshold for PM2.5 is 35 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).   Exceedances of this threshold were recorded at several monitoring sites in Iowa on Saturday.

2015 DNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants Awarded to Rural Fire Departments

• 12/1/2015 7:00:00 AM
• View Count 4985

More than $173,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants have recently been awarded to 74 of Iowa’s rural fire departments to aid their efforts in protecting Iowan’s and their property from wildfires. The grants offer valuable funding assistance for wildfire suppression, personal protective and communications equipment.

Burn Bans May Affect State Park Users

• 10/20/2015 8:15:00 AM
• View Count 4627

Beautiful fall weather has extended park visits and camping opportunities around the state for many outdoor enthusiasts. However, conditions in several areas are very dry increasing the potential for wildfires. Currently, 12 counties are under burn bans.