The summer of 2012 is shaping up to be a very dry one in Ohio and that has Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials bracing for a lot of wildfires. Drew Todd of the Division Of Forestry tells AkronNewsNow "We haven't had a season this bad since 1999. There were sporadic fires throughout that summer, and if we don't get a specific amount of precipitation soon that could equal the 99 situation we had." 

Todd says campers should be careful to make sure their fires are out and cold before they leave, and for folks to avoid tossing cigarette ashes on to dry grass or parking cars with hot catalytic converters in taller grass or weeds. He says burning trash outside in such dry conditions can also start wildfires. He urges vigilance with other equipment that produce heat and sparks such as chain saws and welding equipment. 

While wildfires here don't match the damage and intensity of wildfires in western states Drew Todd says they can cause significant property damage, sparking house and car fires.