Prescribed fire is a valuable tool that can help landowners achieve their land management goals and benefit native plants and wildlife at the same time.The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a free public workshop for landowners interested in learning how to properly use prescribed fire for the management of grasslands, prairies, woodlands, glades and other natural communities on their land.The workshop will be held this Saturday, Oct. 29. The indoor classroom portion will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the Warren County Extension Office, 107 W. Walton in Warrenton.It will be followed by lunch, which will be provided. From 1-4 p.m., the field portion will consist of a demonstration burn to put the principles and concepts learned in the classroom into action.If weather does not permit burning, the afternoon portion will consist of field exercises and the demonstration burn will be rescheduled.Participants can expect to learn how prescribed burns can benefit natural habitats, when to burn, how to identify the proper conditions in which to conduct a burn, what to burn and how to burn safely.Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for weather conditions and bring protective eyewear, leather gloves and boots, and a handkerchief. It’s also best to wear cotton clothes and avoid any synthetic garments.The workshop is free, but advanced registration is required by calling 636-583-2303, ext. 3110, or email Lia.Heppermann@mdc.mo.gov.For more information on the use of prescribed fire, go to https://mdc.mo.gov/property/fire/prescribed-fire.MDC