Twin Falls, Idaho (KMVT) - Hot dry weather like we've had recently often dries out grasses on public lands, and sets the stage for wild land fires; local fire management agencies are asking for you help to prevent fires.

Sunday's hundred acre brush fire near Berger, north of Hollister, was just a small part of the 38 thousand acres that have burned in south central Idaho so far this year.

Cool wet springs the last three years have produced bumper crops of grasses on public lands that haven't burned yet.

District Fire Specialist Brandon Brown says, “What that's done is it's contributed to a large amount of growth of grasses. And what's happened is that's accumulated over several years, so we have several years' worth of fuel buildup that we're going to be dealing with this year as it dries out.”

Of the just over 30 fires in this area so far this year, just over half of them were caused by humans as opposed to lightning strikes.

Steel core bullets are easy to buy over the internet, but are often the cause of 'shooting fires.'

According to Fired Prevention Education Specialist Jon Skinner, “Steel core ammo can actually throw a spark much easier that a lead-based ammo. So when you're shooting a rock or a metal object, you can get a spark off of that bullet versus a lead-based bullet.”

Cheat grass dries out easily and allows fire to spread much more quickly than perennial grasses, which grow in clumps with areas of bare ground between them.

The Bureau of Land Management tracks the moisture content of sagebrush and juniper, which dry out in July and August, literally adding fuel to any potential fire.

That's why the BLM encourages you to be extra careful when using vehicles and equipment on public lands, to prevent wildfires.