Michigan residents may be loving the sun and blue skies this fall, but these warm, dry days have boosted fire danger across both the Upper and Lower peninsulas this week.

While portions of the Upper Peninsula did receive some rain, those areas are expected to be back in elevated risk conditions within a few days.

This means people need to check for burn permits in their areas before burning yard debris, and they must be extra careful with campfires, power equipment and off-road vehicles to avoid sparking a blaze.

“We had 26 fires covering over 170 acres last week,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Everybody needs to be aware that the danger is heightened through this week.”

Wind increases the danger already posed by the unseasonably warm, dry weather. “A single ember can start a fire that spreads fast in these conditions,” Rogers said.

Those who intend to burn yard debris need to check for permission to burn at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit. In the southern Lower Peninsula, check with the local municipality or fire department.

Keep fire safety in mind — never leave any fire unattended, even for a moment. When finished with the fire, make sure to drench it with water, stir the ashes and drench again.

Additional fire safety tips from the DNR:

— When burning anything, keep a hose or other water source nearby.

— Prevent sparks by keeping trailer chains from dragging and don’t park hot equipment on dry grass.

­–Don’t shoot fireworks into the woods or into dry grass or shrubs.

— Don’t burn plastic, hazardous materials, foam or other household trash. This can release dangerous chemicals into the air.

— Use a burn barrel with a screen on top to burn paper, leaves and natural materials.

For more information, go to Michigan.gov/FireManagement.

DNR wildland firefighters have fought more than 200 fires covering more than a thousand acres so far in 2024.