RAPID CITY, S.D.(KOTA)- It doesn’t take a meteorologist to tell – taking just one look at many front lawns in the area tells the story of a dry summer.

Tessa Jaeger, public information officer for the Rapid City Fire Department, says local wildland firefighters are ready to go if needed.

Jaeger said the speed of fires is not to be taken lightly.

Jaeger reminds the public to take care with any potential fire-starting activities.

The current US Drought Monitor map shows a fair portion of South Dakota experiencing some kind of drought conditions, including D2 severe drought in Ziebach and Haakon Counties, as well as D3 extreme drought present in Charles Mix, Clay and Union Counties.