Timber sales aid firefighters

Jackson County firefighters will receive a boost in their equipment following sales of timber from state forests.

Each year, affected counties receive 15 percent of Indiana Department of Natural Resources net proceeds on timber harvested from state forests. State law requires counties to allocate half the funds to township fire departments.

The Division of Forestry is distributing a record $366,870.94 to 16 counties based on revenue from 2008 timber sales. It's a 21 percent increase over the previous high mark in 2007.

Jackson County's share is $14,460.75 this round. Neighboring Washington County received $24,699.46, Scott County received $5,342.04, Brown County received $32,039.40 and Monroe County received $59,503.32. Jennings County received no funding from this allocation but has in past years.