ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is urging New Yorkers to exercise extra caution before any outdoor burning. They said current warm and dry conditions are causing an increased fire risk across New York State.

The DEC said to put safety first, do not leave fires unattended, and ensure all fires are fully extinguished.

"A lot of times, people put a little bit of water on it, and they think because the flames aren't visible anymore, the fire is out. But especially, during these dry conditions, we get what's called ground fire when the fire actually burned down into the ash and then starts to burn down into the ground, so it's really important that you put a lot of water on your fire and then mix it in," Forest Ranger Capt. Scott Jackson sa

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