Northwest Iowa — (Iowa DNR) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct prescribed burns within the selected wildlife complexes in Dickinson, Cherokee, and O’Brien Counties between April 1st and May 20th to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plant species, and maintain native plant communities.
Ground nesting birds such as pheasants, mallards, teal, bobolinks, dickcissels and many others benefit from the habitat improved with periodic prescribed fire for nesting and brood rearing. Burning sets back invading brush, removes the accumulated thatch and reinvigorates native plants by simulating what occurred naturally for centuries.
Areas are typically burned every 1-5 years if possible and vary in size from a few acres to several hundred acres. Burns are conducted on days that meet objectives and weather guidelines defined in the burn plan.
For questions or concerns about prescribed burns, contact Chris La Rue, Wildlife Mgmt. Biologist or the Great Lakes Wildlife Unit, at 712-330-4543 or 712-336-1485.
Possible Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s) Prescribed Fire Schedule Dickinson County
Spring Run Wetlands Complex WMA’s, east of M56 and 190th ST near Prairie Lake and south of HWY 9 and 270th Ave.
Cayler / Santee Prairie Wildlife Complex WMA’s, south of HWY 9 and 3 miles east of HWY 86
Diamond Lake Wetlands Complex WMA, 1 mile west of HWY 86
Dugout Creek & Yager Slough Wetlands Complex WMA’s, east of M27 and 170th ST and along M34
Jemmerson Slough Wetland Complex WMA’s, 1.5 miles north of HWY 9
Kettleson Hogsback Wetland Complex WMA’s, SW of Marble Lake and SE of Grovers Lake
Hales Slough Wetlands Complex WMA’s, 1 mile east of Big Spirit Lake
Christopherson Sough Wetlands Complex WMA’s, ½ mile east of N22 and along 110th St. and 320th Ave.
Center Lake Wetlands Complex WMA’s, west of Center Lake and along 220th Ave.
Garlock Slough Wetlands Complex WMA’s, ½ mile from Emmerson Bay to the south along HWY 86 and east of Lakeside Labs and HWY 86
West Okoboji Wetlands Complex WMA’s, ½ mile West of Okoboji View Golf Course
WMA Burn Schedule O’Brien & Cherokee Counties
Waterman Prairie Wildlife Complex WMA’s, areas north and south of HWY 10, 5 miles west of Peterson and 4 miles east and south of Sutherland.
