A lack of rain has created very dry conditions across the state. And that is causing concern about brush fires and how easily they can spark. Our Iris St. Meran has more on the precautions you're asked to take in the next few days.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

NEW YORK STATE -- Brown grass doesn't look good on your lawn and it's also a sign of bad news. We haven't had much rain, so the grass can easily catch fire and oftentimes, that fire is sparked accidentally.

Onondaga County Volunteer Firemen’s Association President Manny Falcone said, "It could be the catalytic converter off your car if you're in tall grass. It could be somebody discarding a cigarette, sparks, anything."

And that is the challenge with a brush fire. Anything can start it and often it happens in an area that people don't always frequent.

"It goes unnoticed or undetected and the next thing you know someone sees a fire, but it's had headway because nobody was paying attention," said Syracuse Fire Chief Mark McLees.

Emergency personnel hope you do pay attention to your surroundings when you're outdoors. Make sure to have a garden hose or fire extinguisher nearby if you're going to grill or use a fire pit.

Rain is in the forecast, but even a shower or two may still not be enough to saturate the ground.

"We need to get the ground saturated and get the green back to green,” Falcone added. “That's when we're in a good safe state again."

They want you to have fun, but most importantly, stay safe at the same time.