116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa Photo: Remedy for restoration
Apr. 13, 2025 6:00 am
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
“I was out on a bike ride the other morning and noticed a column of smoke rising above the horizon. A little while later, I came upon Lake Macbride park ranger Jason Dykstra and several Iowa Department of Natural Resources employees setting a prescribed fire along the side of the road,” said Gazette photojournalist Nick Rohlman. “I stopped and talked with Ranger Dykstra — we have met a couple times previously as I worked on other stories — and he told me that they were doing a controlled burn of 320 acres of the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area that would normally be very difficult to burn. But due to the ideal wind and humidity conditions, there was an opportunity. ”
A controlled burn is meant to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plants and reduce wildfire potential.
“I took a couple photos with my phone and continued my ride home. The best photo opportunities always seem to present themselves on the rare occasion I leave my cameras at home. I returned with cameras and a drone and was able to make some pictures as the fire worked its way across the landscape. I particularly enjoy the aerial perspective as it does well to illustrate the way in which fire works its way across the landscape.”
A plume of smoke rises above the horizon during a controlled burn at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, Iowa on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The Iowa DNR took the opportunity afforded by the very low humidity to burn 320 acres of land that would not normally be easy to burn. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Lake Macbride park ranger Jason Dykstra uses a drip torch to set a prescribed fire during at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, Iowa on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The Iowa DNR took the opportunity afforded by the very low humidity to burn 320 acres of land that would not normally be easy to burn. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Smoke rises from fires set during a controlled burn at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, Iowa on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The Iowa DNR took the opportunity afforded by the very low humidity to burn 320 acres of land that would not normally be easy to burn. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Flames engulf vegetation during a controlled burn at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, Iowa on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The Iowa DNR took the opportunity afforded by the very low humidity to burn 320 acres of land that would not normally be easy to burn. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Smoke rises from fires set during a controlled burn at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, Iowa on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The Iowa DNR took the opportunity afforded by the very low humidity to burn 320 acres of land that would not normally be easy to burn. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
An aerial view of smoke rising from burned areas during a controlled burn at the Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, Iowa on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The Iowa DNR took the opportunity afforded by the very low humidity to burn 320 acres of land that would not normally be easy to burn. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Daily Newsletters