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St. LOUIS, Mo. — Prescribed fire is a valuable tool that can help land managers achieve their goals and benefit native plants and wildlife at the same time.
Due to popular demand, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is now adding prescribed burn certification training in Jefferson and Crawford Counties for anyone interested in learning how to properly utilize prescribed fire for the management of grasslands, prairies, woodlands, glades, and other natural communities on their land.
Participants will learn how prescribed burns can benefit natural habitats, and how to safely utilize fire to accomplish their land management goals.
The Missouri Prescribed Burn Certification training consists of two parts: Part one is an online training which will be completed at the participant’s own pace. Part two will be an in-person field event. To sign up for the training, participants must first enroll in a specific field event (see below). Information will then be sent to you on how to complete the required online portion of the training. The online portion of the training must be completed prior to attending the field event.
Field Events Scheduled in Jefferson and Crawford Counties:
Weather permitting, the field events will include conducting a prescribed burn. Attendees should dress accordingly with leather boots, leather gloves, cotton pants, cotton long sleeve shirt, and safety glasses. Participants will learn about burn equipment, burn line installation, safe weather parameters, ignition operations, and other techniques to safely conduct a prescribed burn.
Each prescribed burn field event is free to private landowners but there is a $25 cost for contractors. Advanced online registration is required using the links provided above. Participants will receive permanent Certified Burner Certification after successfully completing the in-person field day.
As the field days are in-person events, MDC asks all participants to observe current local social distancing and masking guidelines. Bringing and wearing face coverings is encouraged when appropriate.
