Thestate agency responsible for protecting forests from wildfiresis warning that state forests are more at risk of burning this year.
Forest Ranger Bryan Nowell says state forests are now seeing conditions that usually are more typical of mid-April.
"That's due to the fact that pretty much since the first of the year we haven’t had a lot of snow events or rain events, so all the leaves and brush and debris that’s come down over the winter has been there drying all winter long," Nowell says.
Rangers are preparing to staff fire towers earlier than usual this year, and bringing on seasonal fire response teams.
Nowell says that many towns may not issue fire permits until conditions become safer.