Red Oak Fire Department

05/28/2026

May 28 - 8:00 pm Update....owner found!!

Please Share!!!
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Found This Morning at the Cemetery

05/25/2026

05/24/2026

PLEASE SHARE
Monday, May 25 6am Put Up, 4pm Take Down

Please consider showing your support for our veterans by showing up.
There are 1,650 flags to place and take down. The more people we have the lighter the work.

Meet at the main entrance of the Evergreen Cemetery!

05/22/2026

⛈️ Were you affected by the severe weather events on May 15th or after?

Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Montgomery County in response to the multiple severe weather events that impacted our area last weekend.

🚨 Governor Reynolds’ proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program for affected counties. The proclamation is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated or extended.

🏠 The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants up to $7,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for:
• Home or car repairs
• Replacement of personal property or food
• Temporary housing expenses

🧾 Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery.

🤝 The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain services or resources. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program, and it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.

📸 Residents who experienced damage are encouraged to document damages, take photos, and report impacts to local officials as additional damage assessments continue.

⚠️ Please continue to use caution around damaged areas, downed power lines, flooded roadways, and debris. Never drive through flooded roads.

📝 The Disaster Assistance Request Form and instructions can be found on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website, homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance

🔗 For more information on disaster-related programs and resources available to Iowans, visit the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department website, Homelandsecurity.iowa.gov. To learn more about the types of disasters that can occur in Iowa and for preparedness information, visit ready.iowa.gov

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
City of Red Oak - Government
City of Stanton, Iowa
City of Elliott
Kcsi/Koak Radio
Red Oak Express
Villisca Review Stanton Viking
KMA Broadcasting

05/16/2026

On todays date the City of Red Oak, as well as, a portion of Montgomery County were impacted by a significant weather event that began at approximately 6:36 p.m.

This event eventually triggered an all County fire dept response, which included additional out of County mutual aid.

The Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched at 6:52 p.m. for a reported house fire at 2nd/Grimes.

Then the Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched at 6:54 p.m. for a house fire in the 1200 block of Hammond St - in which the back porch was on fire -caused by downed trees on the residences powerlines.

The Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched at 7:07 p.m. for a reported tree limbs in powerlines and possibly on fire at 250th/HWY 48. - Fire response was assigned to Essex Fire Department.

Then the Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched at 7:18 p.m. for a residential structure fire at 6th/Elm St. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered a large amount of fire on the second floor.

All 3 structure fires were caused by downed tree limbs compromising the residential powerlines.

The Red Oak Fire Department received mutual aid from the following fire depts to assist with the multiple fires:

Stanton FD
Elliott FD
Essex FD
Emerson FD
Shenandoah FD
******************************************
The Villisca, Grant and Corning Fire Departments were activated for storm related fire responses at 7:40 p.m. in the eastern part of Montgomery county.

No injuries reported at any of the incidents!!!!

The Red Oak City Utilities crews were activated, as well as, 3 private tree companies to assist with the massive amount of tree debris blocking roads or on powerlines.

Agencies that were activated/responded:
Stanton Fire and Rescue Department
Elliott Volunteer Fire Department
Grant FD
Villisca FD
Essex Fire Rescue
Emerson Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association Inc.
Shenandoah Fire Department
Clarinda Fire Department
Corning FD
City of Red Oak - Government & multiple departments
Red Oak Police Department
Montgomery County 911
Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office - Red Oak, Iowa
Page County Communications
Adams County Communications
Mills County Communications
MidAmerican

Red Oak Mayor Fridolph and Red Oak City Admin Kotter also assisted.

MidAmerican utilities are still out at time of release, working on restoring power.

Clean-up operations will resume in the morning.

Please use extreme caution with tree debris removal and any downed powerlines that could possibly be live- give utility crews plenty of room to work.

The Red Oak Fire Department wishes a very sincere thank you to all agencies for the prompt, professional responses to this evenings incidents!!

05/11/2026

Red Oak Wastewater Department Repair
Begins Tuesday, May 12
The City must address a sewer main issue starting May 12. Based on the width of the trench that must be dug, the road will be completely closed starting May 12 for approximately two weeks. Everyone can get access to their homes, but they will have to either enter from Hwy 34 if they are North of the construction or from Summit Avenue if they are South. The repair is just to the north of the intersection of Sunnyslope Drive and Eastern Avenue.
Thanks for your patience as we make this necessary repair.

05/09/2026

05/08/2026

On Thursday, May 8th at 3:41pm, the Essex Fire Rescue and Red Oak FD were dispatched to the 1300 block of K Ave (rural Essex) for a reported grass/field fire near a residence.

Both agencies were able to quickly suppress the fire prior to it reaching any structures. No injuries were reported.

Assisting agencies:
Essex Fire Rescue
Page County Communications
Montgomery County 911
Page County Iowa Sheriff's Office

05/06/2026

Highway 48 Bridge Reconstruction Begins Monday May 11

The City of Red Oak would like to inform residents and property owners in the Highway 48 Red Oak Creek bridge area that construction is scheduled to begin on May 11. Due to the short timeline provided to the City before the start of construction, notice to residents has been limited. We understand this may create inconvenience and appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout the project.
This project is expected to last approximately six to seven months and will be completed in two phases. During Phase 1, construction will occur on the west side of Highway 48, while two-way north and south traffic lanes will remain open on the east side of the roadway. Approximately halfway through the project, traffic patterns will switch as construction moves to the opposite side for Phase 2.
Please be aware of the following important traffic and access changes:
• Washington Avenue and First Avenue intersections to Highway 48 on the west side, will be completely closed during this phase.
• Flexible traffic delineator posts will be installed along the center line, and vehicles will NOT be able to cross the two travel lanes at any point.
• Some driveways on Hwy 48 within the marked construction area will be temporarily inaccessible.
• Alleys along Highway 48 will be closed.
• From the east, turns at Washington, Grimes, and Nuckols will be right-turn only.
• Traffic patterns and access may change as construction progresses.
Traffic access to Casey’s, Barr Tire, CarQuest, and the Daycare Center will be more difficult during construction. Please make every effort to continue supporting these local businesses by using alternate routes when necessary.
Residents are encouraged to carefully review the map on the reverse side for additional traffic pattern details and closure information.
The City will post ongoing updates and construction information on the official City of Red Oak page. Residents are encouraged to monitor the page regularly for updates. A second letter will not be circulated for Phase 2; however, residents should expect traffic patterns and closures to reverse sides during that phase.
Emergency services, mail delivery, garbage pickup, and access for local residents will be coordinated as closely as possible throughout the project. Please use caution in the construction zone and follow all posted signage and detours.
Resident questions regarding the project may be directed to Lisa Kotter, City Administrator, 563-320-1206.
The City appreciates your understanding and cooperation as these important improvements are made.

Sincerely

Lisa A. Kotter
City Administrator

04/20/2026

On today's date at 2:26 p.m. the Red Oak Fire Dept was dispatched to the 1400 block of J Ave for a brushpile rekindle fire.

Firefighters were able to make a quick suppression as the fire had been reported early. The wind had rekindled a previously burnt brushpile and began to spread through the under growth.

The Montgomery County EMA deployed the drone to insure the fire had not spread beyond the initial fireground.

The property owner was on scene and assisted with slowing the spread of the fire.

Fire crews were able to terminate the fireground at 2:52 p.m.

No injuries or damage reported.

Assisting/Responding Agencies:
Montgomery County 911
Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency
Stanton Fire and Rescue Department Disregarded
Elliott Volunteer Fire Department Disregarded