AUGUSTA — The Maine Warden Service is warning canoeists and kayakers “not to knowingly put themselves in a situation where they may have to be rescued.”

In a statement released today, the warden service says that wardens are already deployed or on call to respond to flooding around the state.

“Waters statewide are high and moving rapidly, and rescue personnel are concentrated on getting people in flood areas out of harm's way,” acting Col. Gregory Sanborn said in a statement. “These people don’t have a choice. Recreational boaters, which include canoeists and kayakers, do have a choice. They should seriously consider not putting themselves in a situation that could further drain rescue resources in the state.”