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WOODLAND PARK, COLO. -- Dangerously dry weather conditions and a lack of water have the Colorado Springs Fire Department ordering burn restrictions.  The burn ban means no bonfires, no open or prescribed burns and no recreational burning. But the restrictions aren't just within our city limits, it's for most of the state.

The National Weather System has put most of southern Colorado under a red flag warning due to high winds and warmer than usual temperatures. And with the fire danger running high, now is the time to clear your property of large amounts of pine needles, debris and hanging branches.

"Take a look at potential dangers, just flicking a cigarette can start a major fire for us," Erik Nelson with Extreme Tree said.

This is the start of the busy season for Erik Nelson and his team at Extreme Tree. They'll spend now and until March chopping and clearing. They can cut up to an acre and a half in one day and during the next few months they'll do 20, 5-10 acre mitigations.

"We love living in a forest," David Walters, a homeowner, said. "The trouble is when you live in a forest you always have that potential for a fire, and when it's dry like this year, the potential is greater."

Walters is spending the weekend moving into his new home, and clearing dead branches on his trees is a top priority. It's a timely preventative measure because Woodland Park is under a Teller County fire ban.

When it comes to protecting your home this fire season, it comes down to clearing your property.

Fire restriction will remain in effect until weather conditions cool. Failing to follow the burn notice comes with serious consequences.  A fire that threatens or damages property is fourth degree arson.