The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows that all of Lawrence County is now in moderate drought.
Nearly half of Illinois is on the drought monitor with areas ranging from abnormally dry up to severe drought. That has led to the increased risk of fire with some counties in southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana implementing outdoor burn bans. The Lawrence County burn ban issued earlier this month remains in effect.
The National Weather Service says that with a lack of moisture in the atmosphere, the chances for substantial rainfall for the area remain scant.