The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forestry Bureau, in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service – State and Private Forestry, has awarded $194,820 in 50 percent cost-share grants to 90 Iowa 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 equipment, personal protective equipment and communications equipment. Among the fire departments had their 2013 VFA grant requests approved were those in: Avoca, Creston, Elk Horn, Elliott, Harlan,Irwin, Manilla, Onawa, Pacific Junction, Sidney and Templeton.

Gail Kantak, fire supervisor with the DNR’s Forestry Bureau, said it is important for all fire departments to submit Wildland Fire Reports whenever they respond to a wildland fire or provide assistance to a prescribed or controlled wildland fire. Wildland fire reports are compiled locally and nationally and are reported to Congress. Wildland Fire reporting forms are available at www.iowadnr.gov/fire. Departments actively returning these reports receive priority points when the Volunteer Fire Assistance grant applications are scored.