As many around the state prepare for Memorial Day cookouts, the Illinois Fire Marshal's Office has a warning.

The holiday, which marks the unofficial start of summer, often involves outdoor grilling or uncontrollable campfires. Fire Marshal Public Information Officer JC Fultz says....

For those cooking at a state park using charcoal, Fultz encourages those cooking to wait until the coals cool before leaving. If left unattended, those hot coals could cause significant damage.

According to FEMA, an average of 65-hundred grill fires each year result in nearly 27 million dollars in property loss.