An investigation is underway into the origin of a fire Tuesday that burned an estimated 200 acres of public and private land in southeastern Clay county.
Fire departments from Dickens, Spencer, Ruthven, and Webb battled the blaze for some eight hours. It resulted in the temporary closure of Highway 18 in that area because of smoke. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says about 14 acres of Hawk Valley were impacted by the fire, which started on a dead-end road near the wildlife area.
Lucas Straw, a wildlife technician with the DNR, says the Hawk Valley Wildlife Area is NOT on their burn plan for this year. Anyone with information into the origin of the fire should contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Staff with the DNR was back on the scene Wednesday monitoring for hot spots.
(courtesy KUOO in Spirit Lake)
