Iowa Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Iowa - May 15, 2026

Overview

Iowa is experiencing an elevated fire risk due to a combination of unseasonably dry conditions, strong winds, and low relative humidity. A lack of widespread, meaningful rainfall over the past several days has created a susceptible environment for rapid fire spread, particularly in the northwestern portion of the state. The current National Preparedness Level for the region is 2, indicating that while national and state resources are managing current incidents, agencies remain on high alert for new wildland fire activity.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, there has been significant fire activity across central and western Iowa. Local fire departments have responded to a series of rural, structural, and agricultural fires. The combination of dry vegetation and high winds has kept firefighters busy. So far this season, Iowa has seen 18 significant wildfires burning a total of 749 acres.

Key Fires:

• Tomahawk Fire: Located near Lake View, this is the largest fire of the season at 200 acres. It has burned through dry grass and agricultural fuels.
• Hawkins 2 Fire: Located near Belle Plaine, this fire has consumed 192 acres.
• Curry Timber Fire: Located near Peru, this fire has burned 138 acres of timber and brush.
• Apple Tree Fire: A smaller 4-acre active wildland fire that ignited earlier in the month and continues to be monitored by local crews.
• Recent Incidents (Last 72 Hours): Crews recently battled a fire near U.S. Highway 30 that engulfed rural outbuildings, fueled by agricultural materials, dry grass, and structural components. Because it was in a rural area without hydrants, crews had to shuttle water with tankers to prevent the fire from spreading further into the dry landscape. In Creston, a controlled burn turned dangerous when old drums filled with used motor oil overheated and exploded, causing a structure to collapse. In Johnston, a fire spread rapidly from a deck into a home's attic, causing substantial damage.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is conducting several prescribed burns this spring to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plant species, and reduce wildfire potential. Burns are taking place in wildlife management areas across Dickinson, O'Brien, and Lyon counties, as well as at the Volga River and Brushy Creek State Recreation Areas. These operations are conducted when weather conditions allow. Additionally, burn bans remain a vital tool for local municipalities; for instance, Shelby County currently has a burn ban in effect until further notice to prevent accidental ignitions.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Temperatures are currently in the low-to-mid 60s with partly cloudy skies and humidity around 48%.
Forecasted Weather: The National Weather Service recently issued Red Flag Warnings for northwestern Iowa, including counties such as Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Sioux, O'Brien, Clay, Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Woodbury, and Ida. Strong northwest winds combined with relative humidity dropping into the 20-30% range have created critical fire weather conditions favorable for rapid fire growth and erratic fire behavior. Looking ahead, scattered heavy thunderstorms are expected tonight and through the weekend, which may bring much-needed moisture to aid firefighting efforts, though lightning could pose a risk for new starts.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to avoid outdoor burning until conditions improve. It is crucial to be cautious with anything that produces a hot ember (fire pits, charcoal, burn piles), avoid parking vehicles in tall, dry grass, and properly dispose of cigarettes.
Resource Allocation: Local fire departments are working under challenging conditions, often needing to shuttle water to rural areas without hydrants. Agencies are maintaining high vigilance and utilizing controlled burns strategically to clear high-risk areas when weather permits.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Iowa Department of Public Safety - State Fire Marshal: dps.iowa.gov/divisions/state-fire-marshal

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.