As the rain drought continues throughout Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging people to reduce burning as high winds are on the horizon.

DNR fire prevention specialist Paul Rodgers tells us there have been several fires here in Southwest Michigan, but noted the biggest thing to do is hold off on burning until we have some rain.

“It just makes fires escape much more quicker. I mean the winds today are probably blowing 20-30 miles an hour and they just they escape very quickly. So where we issue burning permits, which is from Saginaw to Muskegon North, all permits are shut off and I believe most southern counties shut all their burn permits off too, from local fire departments.”

Rodgers says the leading cause of fires is debris burning of yard waste and other materials.

“If your area is allowing burning permits and allowing burning, make sure you always have water out,” Rodgers says. “Have a hose pulled out to wherever you’re going to be burning, have a bucket of water there because the fires escape very quickly and always have someone standing there. Don’t think you can go inside and eat supper. You need to be at the fire until it is out and make sure it’s completely drowned.”

Rain is in the forecast for as soon as Thursday, but until then hold off on burning anything.