INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Rural and volunteer fire departments from 29 counties throughout Indiana have been awarded more than $194,000 in grants.

The grants are administered by the state Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry. Recipients are selected based on population density, the acreage of public wild lands that they protect, and wild land fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters.

Grants may be used for training, installation of dry hydrants, or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and protective gear in an effort to increase firefighting capacity and personnel safety.

The grants range from $969 to $5,000 and were given to 44 departments across Indiana.