Rural and volunteer fire departments from 50 counties, including Jackson, have been awarded more than $351,000 in Indiana Department of Natural Resources Volunteer Fire Assistance grants.

The grants, announced Tuesday by DNR Director Dan Bortner, are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

The grants ranged from $1,250 to $5,000 and were given to 80 departments.

Grants may be used for training, installation of dry hydrants or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires.

Jackson County township volunteer fire departments receiving grants were Owen-Salt Creek, $5,000 for radios, and Hamilton, $5,000 for water handling.

Recipients were selected on the basis of population density, acres of public wildlands protected and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters.

Fire departments interested in applying for VFA grants may contact Mark Huter, acting program coordinator, DNR Fire Control Headquarters, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN 46151, or call 765-792-4654.