The N.C. Division of Forest Resources is urging residents statewide not to burn leaves, twigs and other yard debris during the next few days as warm, windy and dry weather is expected to increase wildfire danger, according to a news release.

Spring wildfire season typically lasts from mid-February until mid-May when vegetation has returned. During spring wildfire season, North Carolina typically experiences fewer rain events and more warm, windy days that can dry leaves as well as downed trees and other forest fuels.

This is also the season people do a lot of yard work such as burning leaves. In North Carolina, careless debris burning is the No. 1 cause of wildfires. The division responded to 4,361 wildfires last year that burned more than 52,119 acres on state and private land. In 2008, seven homes were destroyed and 45 homes were damaged by wildfires. Also, firefighters protected 5,490 homes and other structures from wildfires. This year, more than 2,159 wildfires have burned more than 9,233 acres.