Storm debris burning offers training for firefighters and savings for taxpayers

The Maquoketa Fire Department conducted a controlled burn training yesterday that also saved Maquoketa taxpayers around $40,000.

City officials released information on the training, saying that it was the storm debris from last month’s ‘gustnado’ that was used as the fuel.

Recent rainfall amounts combined with the need to address the storm debris allowed the perfect conditions to give the fire department hands-on experience while also solving a pressing issue.

Due to the lack of State of Federal recovery assistance, the cost to grind and remove all the debris was estimated around $40,000. The city’s normal expense for yearly cleanup and disposal of brush and debris is around $25,000.

Birch Drive will remain closed through today as Public Works continue with cleanup and monitoring.

Below are photos of the controlled burn:

Photos and information courtesy of the City of Maquoketa’s Facebook page.