Summer’s here! Keep an eye on fire safety

With Memorial Day in the rear view mirror, summer has finally arrived in the Upper Peninsula. And although the area has received sufficient rain this spring and summer to keep wildfires at bay, history tells us that conditions can — and do — change very quickly.

Experts at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources remind us that safety must always be paramount when using fire outside.

While this is true year round, it is especially relevant in the summer months when many more of us are recreating outside.

Here are a handful of sensible safety tips all of us should practice anytime:

— Campfire safety. Always thoroughly douse your fire with water before leaving it for the night.

— Debris burning. You need to get a permit at Michigan.gov /BurnPermit or from your local municipality bef