Iowa DNR dispatches firefighters across the US to help national wildfire management

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fire Program has dispatched wildland firefighters across the Rocky Mountains, West Coast and Pacific Northwest to help wildfire management efforts.

What wildfires are Iowa DNR fire crews assigned to?

The Iowa DNR staff and firefighters are members of crews in Colorado and South Dakota. Some agency staff are assisting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fire engines in Wyoming.

One Iowa DNR engine and crew is assigned to southern California. Support specialists and Emergency Medical Technicians from Iowa are also supporting efforts in northern California and Oregon.

DNR staff are bringing 'valuable experience' back to Iowa

Iowa DNR staff and firefighters are gaining valuable experience in fire suppression, incident management and other emergency support functions, according to a news release. They bring those lessons home to assist in both prescribed fire and wildfire management throughout Iowa.

“The rest of the 2024 wildfire season looks to be busy with the current uptick in western wildfires,” said Ryan Harr, Iowa DNR Fire Program supervisor.

Harr anticipates the DNR will continue to support federal partners by providing firefighters and support staff throughout the summer and early fall, the news release said.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa DNR dispatches firefighters across the US to help national wildfire management