The Black Belt area is suffering along with the other areas of the South from the lack of rain. According to the Weather Channel online, Demopolis has received only .8 inches of rain for the entire month of May. The average rainfall for this time of year is usually around 4.6 inches.

The dry weather has resulted in an extreme drought that not only has the Alabama Forestry Commission on alert, but has also had a grave effect on area farmers.

Demopolis and the surrounding area are fortunate to have two rivers to compensate for water shortage, and the city has not been required to restrict the water usage to its customers thus far.

The Forestry Commission is taking the necessary precautions to protect land from the dry conditions and susceptibility to catching fire. Last week, a large-scale fire in nearby Sumter County burned nearly 700 acres of parched land along Ala. Highway 17 between York and the Boyd community.

The Commission representative said it is detrimental to the safety of the community for area residents to abide by the burn ban and report any signs of fire as soon as they are sighted. Taking precautions and maintaining burn restrictions is mandatory until Mother Nature&8217;s drought wrath comes to an end.