The most recent update from the N.C. Drought Monitor shows Columbus County and much of Southeastern North Carolina is abnormally dry.
Columbus shares the designation with Robeson and parts of Bladen, Brunswick and Pender counties. Despite the heavy rains of mid-October, drought conditions are continuing to worsen across the area. Most of Bladen, virtually all of Sampson and most of Pender counties are listed in the moderate drought category.
Under abnormally dry conditions, the Drought Monitor encourages farmers and homeowners to begin practicing water conservation. Some farmers may require more irrigation for fall crops, pastures will become dry, and most lawns will turn brown.
The abnormally dry conditions also tend to heighten the wildfire danger, especially with more vehicles being driven through wooded area and fields, where dry grass and pine straw can quickly fuel a wildfire. November is typically a busy time of the year for wildfires, due to increased forest litter, dry conditions, higher winds and lower humidity.
The N.C. Forest Service is on a Readiness Plan Two, which means is monitoring fire conditions more closely due to increasing fire potential. No burn bans are in effect for any part of North Carolina.
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