Above average monsoonal moisture last summer caused a lot of dry grass. Less than normal snow left the grass standing instead of lying down, so there is a lot of extremely dry grass standing that is the cause of the human caused fires we have seen so far this year, according to Navajo County Emergency Management Director Mary Springer. The fine fuels and down fuels on the forest floor combined with the strong spring winds contributes to extreme fire danger. We all have to do our part to prevent fire starts to keep our communities safe. Navajo County and local fire districts/department are still issuing burn permits, and area residents are urged to get their property, ditches and weeds burned off now before the conditions become too dry to burn. If fire restrictions are enacted, all burn permits are suspended. Contact your local fire district/department to get a burn permit and the rules for outdoor burning. You can also apply for a burn permit online at http://www.navajocountyaz.gov/emergencymanagement/Burn.aspx for areas that are not covered by a fire district or department. Always call your local fire district/department prior to starting your outdoor burn. If you live in an unincorporated area with no fire district, call the sheriff’s dispatch at (928) 524-4050. Never burn during red flag wind event days. When fire restrictions are necessary to be enacted, obey all ordinances and regulations. There is zero tolerance for violating the Outdoor Fire Ordinance. Persons violating this ordinance will be cited. Tossing a lighted cigarette from a car window, dragging chains, driving on a flat tire or catalytic converters also cause fires. Be mindful