11.   But environmentalists maintain that cattle grazing is increasing fire dangers.

12.   Connecticut has also rated the fire danger as extreme in its woodlands.

13.   Ending cattle grazing would increase fire danger because vegetation would grow unchecked.

14.   Extreme fire danger in the state will cause other forests to follow suit before Memorial Day weekend.

15.   Fire danger is approaching critical levels, he said.

16.   Fire danger remains extreme, and wildlife managers report worsening conditions in the backcountry.

17.   Foresters measure fire danger with a number called the energy release component, or ERC, which gauges the dryness of the big timber.

18.   Grazing also heightens fire dangers by aggravating the drought, some experts say.

19.   Gov. Lawton Chiles has banned all personal fireworks because of the high fire danger.

20.   High temperatures ratcheted up the fire danger and record temperatures are expected again.