BOUTON, Iowa — If weather conditions cooperate Friday, then the Bouton Volunteer Fire Department will light a controlled brush fire in the afternoon, and the Iowa Air National Guard will be on hand to help put the fire out.
“The National Guard will be practicing dropping water from their helicopters,” said Bouton Fire Chief Karl Harris. “This will be the first time in the state that we’ve done this.”
Public viewing of the exercise will be available at the old Leaming Ranch at 25693 141st St.
The burn will take place south of Iowa Highway 141 and east of Odessa Place, Harris said. The fire will be lit about noon, and the exercise should last about three hours. Odessa Place will be closed between Iowa Highway 141 and 150th Street until about 8 p.m. Friday.
“This exercise aims to enhance coordination and evaluate response capabilities in emergency scenarios,” said Dallas County Emergency Management Agency Director A. J. Seely.
Seely said residents in the vicinity of the exercise might observe increased emergency response activities, such as the presence of emergency vehicles, personnel and military aircraft. He said every effort will be made to minimize disruptions to the surrounding area.
Residents and motorists are advised to follow all instructions or signage provided by
emergency personnel during the training period and avoid stopping or parking on Iowa Highway 141.
