State Conservation Department officials are warning of the dangers of open burning. The agency’s Bruce Palmer says much of the state remains too dry to burn off leaves and brushpiles. And he says efforts to reduce wildfire potential might be hampered by last year’s severe storms in many parts of the state. Palmer says rain storms that come this time of year will help, but they also hold the potential of lightning which could set off even more severe fires. He asks people to check with local fire officials before burning.