The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says conditions are ripe for wildfires around the state right now.

DNR fire specialist for the Lower Peninsula Jeff Vasher tells us the past few months have brought very little rain to the state and there have been outdoor fires all over.

“It’s actually the whole state,” Vasher said. “It’s very dry. We’ve got lots of fires going on everywhere. The UP is very bad. We’ve been having fires here. Actually, I’ve already had calls for two fires down in Grand Rapids and the Allegan area.”

Vasher says even with some rain in the forecast on Friday, it won’t be enough. He says firefighters responding to things like grassfires are having to use a huge amount of water to put them out because the fires are going so deep.

Vasher has a request for outdoors enthusiasts.

“We still want people to enjoy the woods, enjoy hunting, camping, all that. But in the same sense, if you’re going to have a campfire, just be careful. If you have a campfire and you’re done, make sure it’s out. We always tell people  to make it a mud pie when you’re done.”

Vasher says in his 23 years of working for the DNR, he’s never had a fall fire season like this. He calls it the worst he’s ever seen.

The risk of fire is all over the state and in all kinds of locations, whether open fields or forests. Everyone is asked to be extra careful.