Conservation Federation of Missouri!

Extreme dry conditions increase threat of wildfire so prevention is critical.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Effective immediately, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has issued a FIRE BAN on all conservation areas. The fire ban includes prohibiting campfires and other open fires, including charcoal grills. The fire ban does permit the use of contained camp stoves and charcoal cooking fires in concrete or metal fire rings. The use of firewood in cooking fires is prohibited under the fire ban.

The use of fireworks is already prohibited on conservation areas under the Wildlife Code of Missouri.

“The fire ban is an effort to prevent wildfires under these extreme dry conditions,” said MDC Wildland Fire Supervisor Ben Webster. “The fire ban on all conservation areas will stay in effect until weather conditions change and we get significant rain.”

Missouri takes top camping destination in national on-line poll, which includes mention of Conservation areas.

Missouri has been voted favorite state for camping in the United States. The "Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite State for Camping" was awarded by the Web portal About.com, an information website operated by the New York Times Co. Second was Montana, third, Colorado, and honorable mention for New Mexico and New York. The state won by getting the most votes from website visitors. This is the fifth year for the awards, which stretch across a number of categories. "If you can do it outdoors, you can do it in Missouri," About.com said, "containing hundreds of conservation and natural areas, 49 state parks, the vast Mark Twain National Forest, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the 225-mile Katy Trail, which is America's longest rail-to-trail hiking/biking trail."

http://camping.about.com/od/campingdestinations/ss/Top-5-US-States-For-Camping_3.htm

Whereas, during Great Outdoors Month, we celebrate the opportunity to enjoy the healthy benefits of being outdoors and connecting with nature; and

Reat the whole proclimation.