Drought Levels on the Rise in the Lakes Region

The trend of drying conditions in the Lakes Region continues according to the latest map issued by the U.S. Drought Monitor. 

Several areas of the Lakes Region are now at an Extreme Drought Level, the next to highest level established by the Drought Monitor. Areas of Extreme Drought include most of Carroll and parts of Madison Counties in Arkansas along with southern parts of Barry and Stone Counties in Missouri. Extreme Drought is categorized by very low water level and major impacts to fall crops. 
Both the Branson and Harrison areas are at a Severe Drought level. In Missouri, that includes most of Taney and the northern two-thirds of Stone Counties while in Arkansas, it impacts western and central Boone County as well as parts of Newton and Searcy Counites in the Buffalo National River area.
While temperatures will see a major drop at the first of next week which includes a chance for the first frost of the season, no rain is in the forecast for the next seven days. 

The continuing dry conditions in the Lakes Region has seen an increase in fire risk. 

The National Weather Service is the latest organization to caution against burning, stating that the dry conditions along with an increase in wind developing over the next few days will increase the risk of fire spreading quickly. 

Several areas of northern Arkansas are already under burn bans due to the dry and windy conditions. \