Even though we’ve had a wet weather pattern recently, the new map from the U-S Drought Monitor shows large sections of northern and central Iowa remain in moderate to severe drought while big swaths are abnormally dry. Maureen Brooks, wildfire prevention program manager at the U-S-D-A Forest Service, says Iowans who will be going camping soon need to take particular care if they plan to light a campfire.

Farmers and landowners who might be doing prescribed or controlled burns on their acreages need to heed any local burn bans or restrictions. Even those who are cutting grass or brush need to be especially watchful for potential fires.