The lawns are now about 75 percent brown.  The soil is cracking and is pulling away from the foundations and the sidewalks.  The pond level is below normal.  Had to regularly water the grass which I had planted in late March.  Had to water my new trees.  Pine trees are beginning to show minor signs of stress in my neighborhood. Local stream flow is almost nonexistent except for the Licking and Ohio Rivers.  There is now a fire hazard for the following activities:  1) Fire works, 2) Barbecue Grilling, 3) Cigarette smoking outdoors and 4) Using gas powered lawn tools including the lawnmower.  The grass is so dry that all it would take is a spark to start a grass fire in a lawn particularly in the very brown areas.

Yesterday, lawn care companies were only raising dust when mowing the lawns.  I guess they must make still make their weekly visits to their clients in order to keep getting paid whether in needs it or not.  The lawns are now the driest since October 2019 in nearly five years.  The rabbits even ate my marigolds this week in the planter boxes.  The dear seem to be very hungry. One tree that was planted last year wilted and had died this year due to the drought.  There are a considerable amount of ants on the sidewalks, which indicate very dry conditions.  

Drought Status:  D0 - ABNORMALLY DRY - BEGINNING OF A DROUGHT.  If a significant rainfall does not occur this weekend, the drought status will likely become D1 - MODERATE DROUGHT in our local area by early July, which has not happened since 2019.  The rainfall has been very scant the last 3 weeks with only 0.15" of rainfall.  According to the NWS weather forecast only a 40 percent chance of rain today and tonight.

Yesterday, I have even called the City of Wilder that I was concerned that the lawns are so dry in some areas that  sparks from fireworks, barbecue grills, cigarette butts and gas powered lawn equipment could ignite some very brown lawn areas.  The City of Wilder talked to the Wilder Fire Department  and will be on a lookout this coming week for possible potential grass fires which could easily occur when celebrating the 4th of July Holiday.  The City does not have the authority to temporary make firework bans.  UPDATE: Since only had 0.02" total rainfall on 6/29/2024, D1- MODERATE DROUGHT is likely by Tuesday July 2, 2024.