MDC offers prescribed fire workshop in Boonville

BOONVILLE, Mo. - Fire has been used as a land management tool by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for more than 30 years, but it isn’t as simple as dropping a match and watching it burn. To assist landowners who want to safely use prescribed fire on their own property, the MDC is hosting a workshop from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 22 at the fire department station, 500 Bingham Road in Boonville. The workshop is free, but you must pre-register by Feb. 19.

MDC staff will discuss the history of fire on the landscape, benefits from prescribed fire, proper methods and techniques for implementing controlled burns, equipment and how to use resources from MDC and other agencies. Additionally, other topics that will be covered include creating a burn plan and timing the burn based on your management objectives and landscape, safety considerations, and proper weather conditions for conducting a burn. Plus, tips on how to organize burn teams and cooperatives will be offered.

“This workshop is great for new or current landowners who would like to learn about using prescribed fire as a tool to improve wildlife habitat on their property,” said MDC Private Land Conservationist Seth Moore. “While uncontrolled wildfires can harm habitat and property, controlled use of prescribed fire can actually improve the health of natural ecosystems.”

For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Moore at 660-886-7447, ext. 310.