The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fire department is urging Washitonians to use caution this Memorial Day weekend due to the dangers of forest fires.

Not only does the holiday weekend bring a large number of people to the forest, there’s also the drought that Gov. Jay Inslee announced this week as well.

“Already this year, DNR has responded to 124 wildland fires,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “We are going to need everyone’s help in preventing catastrophic wildfires on both sides of the Cascades. Please be careful with your outdoor activities to help prevent wildfires.”

The DNR is asking people to use caution where a Memorial Day fire is concerned and that, to prevent a forest fire, one can take simple steps.

If campfires are allowed in the area you are visiting, then the DNR asks forest users to extinguish it properly prior to leaving by: Never leaving a campfire unattended at any time; Drown the fire thoroughly with water; Stir the fire-water until its cold; and Then drown the fire and stir, again,

The DNR advises that fires not be left until it’s cool to the touch.

For more information about forest fires, please visit the Washington State DNR’s website at www.dnr.wa.gov and click ‘Fire Information and Prevention’ under the Recreation and Public Information column.