Drought conditions

Illinois is experiencing drought conditions which means residents should not light fireworks, be careful with cigarettes and campfires. Dry conditions mean risk of wildfires.
The state has officially been declared D-1 on the drought scale, said University of Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford. That means the risk of wildfire and more mindful water usage.

“Much of central Illinois, from the Quad Cities to Danville, and all the northeast corner, the Chicagoland area, are currently in moderate drought conditions. As is western Illinois along the Missouri border,” Ford told The Center Square.

Rainfall across the state has been down by as much as 60% this spring. Stream flow is well below normal. Young trees, bushes and lawns are showing signs of stress. Emerging crops look thirsty.
It’s never good to waste water, Ford said. Right now he’s just trying to raise awareness that conditions are dryer than normal. This intensity of the dryness this early in the growing season is somewhat rare, Ford said. “We’ve only seen this level of dryness in April and May, maybe five times in the last 40 years.”

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