Peters Burning Ban in Effect

The  marshal has banned all outdoor burning due to dryness, according to township Manager Michael Silvestri. 

This ban will be in effect until specifically removed by the fire marshal, he said. 

Despite the heavy downpour Thursday, conditions remain extremely dry and all western Pennsylvania counties—including Washington—are under a according to the Palmer Drought Severity Index, which measures soil moisture conditions.

KDKA reported Thursday night, the classification is the least severe of the state's three drought categories. Home and business owners should reduce the use of water, Susan Koeppen reported. 

This quickly evolving drought marks a sharp contrast to last summer. 

Spring 2011 was the wettest on record for many states, including Ohio and Kentucky. Now, 61 percent of the U.S. is in moderate or greater drought.

Grain prices are showing the result with corn, soybean and wheat prices on the rise. If the drought continues, farmers say they will have no choice but to pass on that cost to consumers. 

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