Take a look around before you pitch the tent or fire up the grill this holiday weekend.

If you see dark skies, rodent nests or maybe even a swarm of locusts heading for you, you might want to reconsider that ideal spot you think you found.

OK, so nobody's actually predicted a swarm of locusts swarming across Northern New Mexico anytime soon, but flash floods, plague-infected rodents and the ubiquitous New Mexico mosquito are another story.

The worst of the weather-related unpleasantness, at least, should be over by Saturday. Today and tonight the National Weather Service in Albuquerque predicts heavy rainfall in and around Santa Fe with the possibility of flash flooding, said Chuck Jones, a meteorologist.

"We've had high pressure over us shifting eastbound, and there's a big moisture plume coming over old Mexico and heading northeast right toward Central New Mexico," Jones said. "We don't have any warnings or watches yet, but we're very concerned about heavy rains."

Thunderstorm activity should continue through the weekend, but they will be less intense than tonight's storms. If you're planning to camp for the holiday, keep an eye out for storms and remember to stay out of arroyos and to not drive through washouts, he said.

"Don't camp too close to streams, either," Jones said.

Not worried about flash floods? That's OK. There are plenty of other things to freak you out in the great outdoors.

Paul Ettestad, the state public health veterinarian, said that while people shouldn't panic, there is good reason to have a healthy respect for plague-infected rodents this year.

"I've been at the Department of Health now for 15 years, and I've never seen this much plague activity in and around the city of Santa Fe," Ettestad said. "It's also up in Taos and all around the area. I really want people to be careful."

A dead, plague-infected rock squirrel was recently found at Gen. Franklin E. Miles Park on Siringo Road, and infected rodents have also been found in the east, north and south parts of the city, he said.

"There's a lot of prairie dog burrows around Miles Park, and those animals also have a strong potential to spread plague," Ettestad said. "I'd say the most important thing to do in the outdoors this weekend is be aware of the situation, but don't be hysterical."

Over the past month, four human cases of plague were confirmed in Santa Fe County, one of them fatal.

Avoiding plague is fairly easy, though. The disease is spread by fleas on infected rodents. So if you see a dead rodent, don't pick it up with your hands and don't let your kids touch it.

Instead, dig a hole with a shovel, push the rodent in and bury it, Ettestad suggests.

Perhaps a bigger problem than people handling dead animals, though, is when pet owners don't treat their dogs and cats with flea control products, said Bob Wood, the integrated pest manager for the city.

"People don't generally want to handle a dead rodent, but dogs, they have no problem doing that," Wood said.

If a dog or cat sniffs around a rodent that has died of plague, fleas can easily jump onto them. And if the dog or cat has access to people and their homes, the fleas can then transfer the disease to humans, Ettestad said.

"In all of the human cases of plague we've had so far, there was a family dog or cat that was allowed to go out hunting," Ettestad said.

Watching out for rodents is also important if you're trying to pick a camping spot this weekend, Wood said.

"If you're camping and putting up your tent, make sure you don't put it near rodent activity — check for holes and burrows. Know your camp site well. If there are a lot of leaves around, kick them aside and make sure there's nothing under them."

Even if you're just grilling in the backyard, it's a good idea to move rodent habitat — such as wood piles and other debris — away from your home.

"You want things like hay, wood, compost to be as far from the house as possible," Ettestad said. "Don't leave pet food or water outside either, because that also attracts rodents."

Wood said he's seen a lot of rodents around the city, probably due to a wet June that has provided them with ample food supplies.

And if rodents weren't unpleasant enough, the wet weather is also likely to boost mosquito populations very soon, Wood said.

"We aren't seeing a big mosquito problem yet, but we expect to," Wood said. "The monsoons are picking up, people are watering their lawns. If you have standing water outside for 48 hours or more, you'll most likely have mosquitos."

There have been no cases in animals or people of West Nile virus — which is spread by infected mosquitos — so far this year, but the disease often starts incubating in hosts in July, with cases cropping up in early to mid August, Ettestad said.

No mosquito pools across the state have tested positive for the disease yet either, he said.

Both Ettestad and Wood said the best way to protect yourself from mosquito bites is to use repellent products that contain DEET.

"Beyond that, well, remember to wear sunscreen this weekend," Wood said. "A lot of people don't stop to think that three full days in the sun is going to hurt. Overall, people shouldn't worry too much about being outdoors for the holiday. Just make sure you use common sense — and enjoy yourself."

Contact Sue Vorenberg at svorenberg@sfnewmexican.com.