Driving around county highways, residents may notice farmers burning crop leftovers from the fall harvest. Although these prescribed fires can be positive for the fields, there is always the risk of the fire growing unmanageable requiring help from area fire departments. Richmond Fire Chief Mark Sowder shared advice to local farmers who plan on burning this spring. Prescribed fires clear overgrown areas and increase plant diversity and are also a cheaper alternative to herbicides when removing invasive species such as fescue. A prescribed fire could be the right option for a farmer’s land, but Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) advises area farmers to “plan before you light it, so you won’t have to fight it.” Sowder said he knows people will burn in the spring. “Of course, it isn’t legal to burn in the city limits of Richmond. We ask that people in our rural response area pick a day when it is not windy and not too dry. Burning after a rain or snow is preferable,” he said. …