Much of Maine is facing a heightened risk of uncontrolled fires Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service’s offices in Gray and Caribou both issued warnings that dry and breezy conditions will make it easier for fires to spread because dry materials like grass, leaves and twigs will blow around.

Jon Palmer, a meteorologist at the Gray office, said Tuesday morning that an afternoon sea breeze will bring a swath of dry air across the state. Southern Maine and the Midcoast will see humidity levels drop the most, he said.

Rain showers in the forecast for Wednesday could help abate the dangerous conditions.

Palmer cautioned against starting any fires Tuesday because they will be harder to extinguish. The weather service said in its warning that people statewide should take extra steps to prevent wildfires.

According to the Department of the Interior and the Red Cross, those steps should include:

• Don’t start fires when it’s dry and windy.
• Closely monitor any fires and ensure they are doused until cold.
• Dispose of smoking materials, like cigarette butts and used matches, in a closed container or a cup of water.
• Keep vehicles off dry grass — the heat from the exhaust can ignite it.
• Keep sparks away from dry vegetation. If using equipment like a chainsaw, make sure it has a spark arrestor.
• Regularly check weather conditions. If in doubt about fire safety, save the activity for another time.

A report from the state Forest Service notes that most of Maine is at a high or very high risk for wildfires, meaning that fires will start easily and could become serious or uncontrollable.

As of Tuesday, much of southern Maine was experiencing a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The rest of the state is under a moderate drought, while pockets of western and northern Maine are deemed “abnormally dry,” which is less serious.

Drought conditions can contribute to wildfires, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dried-out vegetation in forests and grasslands, combined with dry, hot and windy weather, can increase the probability of large-scale fires.