Photo: Peter Rea/US Fish and Wildlife Service
(Missouri Valley, IA) -- The main portion of the DeSoto Refuge in western Iowa has been closed due to a wildfire this week. As of Wednesday morning, US Fish and Wildlife Service fire personnel continue to work on the wildfire that started on the center portion of the refuge on Tuesday (4/16) afternoon.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service says a lightening strike hit a dead cottonwood tree, sparking the fire. The main fire is contained but downed and standing dead trees are still smoldering.
As of Wednesday, crews were working to put in dozer lines to contain the fire from spreading and will backburn some of the unburned fuels. Crews will also continue to monitor fire with the gusty winds and changing weather patterns.
Visitors can still access the DeSoto Visitor Center and the west side unit located south of Blair off Hwy 75. Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge also remains open. We will continue to provide updates when conditions change and areas can reopen.
Agencies working on the fire include: Missouri Valley, Blair, Fort Calhoun Logan, Modale, Mondamin, Kennard, and Iowa DNR.