| Much of West Virginia saw a desperately needed series of slow downpours Monday morning. It marked a couple of days of rain which started with a cold front pushing into the state Sunday. It was also the first rain many areas of West Virginia had experienced in weeks.
Calhoun and the region got a little rain, well below the forecasted amount, but enough to cause a tiny ripple flowing down some streams.
Calhoun last experienced drought conditions in 1999.
State Division of Forestry Director Barry Cook said although it helped, about all that came of Mondayâs precipitation was a break for those battling forest fires. He gave a wary eye toward the extended forecast.
“For the next 14 days there is no precipitation predicted above 40 percent and eight of those days are at 20 percent or lower for precipitation,” Cook said.
The ban on open burning in West Virginia remained in place as did the Governorâs State of Emergency Declaration issued over drought conditions in all 55 West Virginia counties.
Since the Governor issued the burning band on September 23rd, fires have continued to be a problem. When the ban was put in place there had been 60 fires which consumed 160 acres. As of Monday, there were 163 fires which burned 2,715 acres. most of those south of US 50.
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