The Department of Natural Resources reminds Michigan citizens and visitors that wildfire danger is expected to be high this weekend across most of the state. The holiday weekend forecast is calling for warm and dry conditions.

"The full forest 'green up' was delayed due to earlier cool weather," said DNR Wildfire Supervisor Scott Heather. "Pine needle moisture levels are about as low as they get right now. Low fuel moistures make the threat of a crown fire spreading rapidly through the treetops a possibility under current fire conditions."

So far this spring fire season, the DNR has responded to 176 wildfires, with the largest being a 1,345-acre fire near Grayling. Motorists traveling along 1-75 will easily see where the fire crossed the highway on April 24, threatening the business district of Grayling and continued burning westerly destroying three homes before being controlled by firefighting forces.

"When weather is dry during holiday weekends, we respond to a lot of human-caused fires due to the increase in outdoor activity during the weekend," said DNR Fire Prevention Specialist Paul Kollmeyer. "The needles and leaves igniting so easily provide a perfect combination that elevates the chances of a fire getting started."

Kollmeyer reminded Michigan citizens and visitors to be extremely careful with outdoor fires this weekend. He suggested that campfires be kept small and never left unattended. All fires and barbeques should be completely extinguished. Use plenty of water, stir and then add more water until everything is wet and no steam is produced while extinguishing a fire or barbeque. Turn over unburned pieces of wood or charcoal and wet the underside. Soak unburned pieces of charcoal in a bucket of water before disposing of them. Do not simply cover a campfire with soil or sand - this is insufficient to extinguish it.

For more information on wildfire prevention, visit the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr-fire.