Our firefighters are heroes.

They save lives. They save property.

And not just in their communities. American communities have sent scores of firefighters to Canada to help battle the serious wildfires happening there. And firefighters routinely travel within the state and within the country to help their fellow firefighters battle major blazes.

Firefighters are due our respect, and our thanks.

And the best way to show our thanks is to do all we can to make sure firefighters don’t have any fires to fight.

Right now, the best way to do that is to avoid burning all together.

Hot, dry, windy conditions have put Northeast Michigan — and much of the state — under red flag warnings from the National Weather Service, meaning fires can start quickly and spread rapidly.

As of Wednesday, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources had fought 193 wildfires this season that burned more than 3,000 acres, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Bonfires, burn barrels, burn pits, campfires and any other kind of flame is just plain dangerous right now. Any spark could ignite a fire that can quickly get out of control.

Right now is not the time to burn.

We call on all Northeast Michiganders to show their appreciation for our firefighters by helping to keep them safe by not burning until conditions improve.