JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – The U.S. Forest Service is urging visitors to exercise caution while visiting national forests this weekend because most of Mississippi is abnormally dry or in a moderate to severe drought.

“Please keep wildfire prevention in mind when visiting a national forest,” said Jay Boykin, Forest Service Fire Duty Officer. “Everyone’s carefulness will reduce putting people’s lives, our firefighters’ lives, our forests, and our communities at risk.”

In addition to drought and drought-like conditions, precipitation has been below normal and no rain is expected next week for most of the state.

Here are some wildfire prevention tips to remember when visiting a national forest:

• When traveling to and from your public lands, ensure your chains are properly connected with any type of trailer. Dragging chains can easily spark wildfires.
• If a parking area for a trailhead or recreation site is full, don’t park on the side of the road and never park in tall, dry grass. The heat from your car can start a wildfire.
• Check for closures and fire-related restrictions prior to leaving the house.
• If campfires or grills are allowed, keep the fire small, never leave them unattended and put it out completely before leaving. Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, then it’s too hot to leave.
• If campfires are allowed, clear vegetation away from your campfire area and use a preexisting campfire ring when possible.
• Never leave a fire unattended and always keep your fires small, not tall.
• Be prepared. Have the proper tools to extinguish a campfire before you light it. Bring a bucket, water, and shovel to drown and stir the campfire until it is completely out.
• Make sure your campfire is cold to the touch before leaving it.

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