PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has banned fires in all state parks, campgrounds and management areas due to the high risk of wildfires.

The ban took effect Monday and includes campfires in designated campfire areas, including charcoal fires and cooking fires, the DEM said.

The National Weather Service released a special weather report advising of the increased risk of wildfires in southern New England due to the recent period of dry weather and dry soil conditions. Low humidity and southerly winds gusting to 10 to 15 knots will increase the risk of wildfires spreading.

“Use caution when handling and disposing of sources of ignition,” the weather service says. “Outdoor burning is not recommended.”

During the first 28 days of October, the Providence area received just 0.095 inches of rain, when it normally would have had 3.79 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

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There is a chance of showers Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, but “are unlikely to bring significant rain accumulations to the area,” the weather service said.

The DEM says it will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions to determine when the ban can be lifted.

Additional wildfire information is available at the DEM website.

This article was originally published in the Providence Journal: DEM bans campfires in RI parks due to wildfire risk