GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As a wildfire burns in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a fire specialist is warning people not to burn anything in the dry weather.

“It’s amazing how dry it is for October,” said Keith Murphy, a Marquette-based fire specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Wildland firefighters fought many fires over the weekend, the largest one still burning in the U.P.’s McCormick Wilderness. Flames had burned 120 acres of the federally-managed land as of Monday afternoon, the DNR said.

Rain is expected on Wednesday, but Murphy said that may not be enough to significantly lower the danger in the U.P. and northern Lower Peninsula.

Many of the fires were sparked by lightning strikes, which can sometimes smolder for days in remote locations before being noticed. Firefighters had to hike to one fire near Newberry and used a boat to get to another in Luce County, the DNR said.

Roscommon-based fire specialist Jeff Vasher said active fires are expected to continue through the week in the northern Lower Peninsula. Check online for a burn permit before burning leaves or yard debris. Check with your local fire department or municipality to make sure conditions are right for safe burning.

“Please don’t burn until we get a good amount of moisture, until the weather changes,” Vasher said.

He urged hunters, off-road vehicle riders and others to be careful and never to leave any fires unattended. Drench finished campfires with water twice, stirring in between and always keep a water source nearby. He urged people to prevent sparks by keeping trailer chains from dragging and not parking hot equipment on dry grass. Don’t burn plastic, hazardous materials, foam or any household trash, which can release dangerous chemicals in the air, Vasher said.

For more fire safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/FireManagement.