(Portland, OR) -- The summer is only halfway over, and fire risk keeps rising across the U.S. Forest Service's Northwest Region. According to the Northwest Coordination Center Predictive Services Outlook, low spring rainfall has resulted in abnormally dry conditions. That dryness, combined with record and near-record heat, means new fire starts could grow quickly, and existing fires might remain on the landscape until weather conditions change. The Forest Service is encouraging the public to prevent human-caused wildfire starts by monitoring smoke forecasts and planning outdoor recreation accordingly. Also, know fire restrictions and fire closures before heading out.