() – As many people spend time outdoors this summer, the South Carolina Forestry Commission is offering safety tips to prevent severe fires from spreading.

Due to dry conditions in the southeast, including the state of South Carolina, people are urged to be responsible and take precautions before lighting fires of any kind.

“We encourage anyone planning to do any burning to exercise the utmost caution in doing so, said Doug Wood, director of communication at South Carolina Forestry Commission. “With many people off work and doing things outside —including burning yard debris, having cookouts and lighting fireworks — the potential for danger is higher than normal.”

According to Wood, escaped debris from outdoor burns are the primary cause of wildfires in South Carolina, making up for more than half of all ignitions.

Statistically speaking, Wood said fireworks are rarely the cause of forest fires, but that doesn’t mean they don’t cause them. Last fiscal year, seven wildfires were ignited because of fireworks.

• Obey local ordinances regulating fireworks.

• Use fireworks in a safe area away from dry fields, forests and buildings.

• Properly extinguish coals from grills and firepits before leaving the area.

• Don’t park on dry vegetation.

• Make sure that any safety chains on trailers and RVs do not drag on the pavement, which can cause sparks that can ignite dry vegetation.

• Limit fires to vegetative material like leaves, limbs and branches.

• Clear a firebreak around the burning site.

• Have the right equipment available to keep the fire under control and stay with the fire until it is completely safe.