Photo by cindy47452, Flickr.

Two weeks of extreme temperatures have created a “tinder box” condition throughout the state, according to a press release from Iowa fire marshal Ray Reynolds.

One-third of the state is currently under a burn ban, and Reynolds advised Iowans to use extreme caution when dealing with fire to avoid unnecessary burns.

“We expect some burn bans during the spring and fall of every year,” Reynolds said in the release. “It is significant when one-third of the state is in a burn ban in July. I can’t recall a time since the 1980′s when we have seen this level of extreme dryness.”

For more information, read the full article at The Gazette.