Drought Areas Expand, Burn Bans Return

The lack of rainfall continues to impact the Lakes Region as drought levels continue to rise

The weekly map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the areas of Severe Drought continue to expand, now covering most of Taney, Stone, and Ozark Counites in Missouri along with Boone, Marion, and Searcy Counties in Arkansas. The eastern half of Newton County is also at a Severe Level while the rest of the county as well as all or most of Carroll and Madison Counties in Arkansas and Barry County in Missouri are at Moderate Drought Level. 

The areas at Severe Level, including both the Branson and Harrison areas, are seeing increasing levels of soil cracks with surface water levels getting lower. 

The continued dry weather continues to see a return of Burn Bans in parts of Arkansas. Boone and Madison Counties have reestablished their bans from earlier this year while Searcy County has also recently established a burn ban. 

While colder weather is on its way to the Lakes Region, little to no precipitation is in the forecast for the next seven days with the National Weather Service saying Elevated Fire Risk is still in place for the weekend.