Though the wildfire season officially ended Oct. 15, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources urged citizens to take caution throughout the year, citing an increase in fires this season.

    About 992 wildfires burned about 18,924 acres on protected lands between April 15 and Oct. 15, according to a DNR press release.

    The department reported 22 percent more fires already this year on private, state and tribal lands as compared to 2008’s numbers, according to the release.

    Though fewer total acres were burned this wildfire season, the department called for workers to be cautious with fire in the outdoors, as a predicted drier-than-normal winter blows in.