Nearly all counties in New York state face drought conditions, ranging from abnormally dry in the west to moderate drought in the southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. These conditions increase the chances of rapidly spreading brush fires.

Upstate New York has seen three brush fires so far in Ithaca, Chautauqua County and Letchworth. Now, more than two dozen municipalities have issued a state of emergency and some are also enforcing burn bans.

Some are being asked to conserve water just in case.

“Making sure that individuals use of water is intentional, to conserve where they can before we're actually in a drought emergency is something that we would stress,” said Terence O’Leary, executive deputy commissioner at the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Firefighters are encouraging people to check with their municipalities first before attempting to burn anything. If you do burn, have something nearby to extinguish the fire.