“Pennsylvania received very little rain over the summer,” state Secretary of Environmental Protection Jessica Shirley said in a news release, as reported in Wednesday’s edition of the Sun-Gazette. “We want residents to be aware of these dry conditions.”

It may be worth considering whether fall festivities should forego fires altogether — though we understand that might be a sacrifice some families and neighborhoods are unwilling to make.

We certainly, in that event, encourage anyone pressing on with s’mores and apple cider around a fire pit to practice greater caution.

Be sure to clear away dry leaves, sticks and other debris. Avoid burning specifically on windy days. Keep a bucket of water or shovel and dirt or sand nearby to put out the fire and make sure, when extinguished, that the fire is thoroughly out.

These are some of the tips offered by the National Fire Protection Association on the organization’s website.

As trick-or-treating, tailgating and other seasonal fun lies ahead, and as families throughout our region decide whether to celebrate around a fire, we hope everyone can be mindful of a drier-than-usual fall and can help keep our communities safe.