It is dry out there. The grass in your yard is probably brown. Farmers across the area say their farm fields are suffering. Even if we get a good rain today, it still might not be enough to bring us out of drought.
Paul Rieck might have the greenest lawn on the block.
"It is artificial water, but it is still water and the grass loves it," says Rieck, a South Bend resident.
Rieck gets up early every morning to water his lawn
"45 minutes in the front. 45 minutes in the back. 45 minutes on the side and two times a day. Morning and night," says Rieck.
Someone has to do it, because Mother Nature has not.
Rieck isn't the only one watering his lawn. According to South Bend Water Works, water usage in May was up about 43 million gallons compared to last year.
According to the US Drought Monitor -- most of northern Indiana is listed as moderate to abnormally dry.
During March, April, May and now June, we've seen at least an inch or more below normal rainfall per month.
"It is dry," says Clay Fire Territory Chief John Vance.
Vance says the lack of rain is posing a safety risk. In the last 12 days there have been 10 grass fires -- that is compared to a total of 10 fires last month. Vance says if our area doesn't get significant rain soon, the county may consider a burn ban.
"So if they get a fire -- because of a recreational burn or a permit fire. They need to call 911," says Vance, "a free burning fire doubles in size every 60 seconds and it is not worth getting burned, losing your property or your life because you didn't call 911."
In St. Joseph County you need a permit to burn. If you chose to burn, fire fighters say do it when it isn't windy and don't leave your fire unattended.
As for water restrictions, according to South Bend Water Works, in the city's history that has never happened.
Paul Rieck might have the greenest lawn on the block.
"It is artificial water, but it is still water and the grass loves it," says Rieck, a South Bend resident.
Rieck gets up early every morning to water his lawn
"45 minutes in the front. 45 minutes in the back. 45 minutes on the side and two times a day. Morning and night," says Rieck.
Someone has to do it, because Mother Nature has not.
Rieck isn't the only one watering his lawn. According to South Bend Water Works, water usage in May was up about 43 million gallons compared to last year.
According to the US Drought Monitor -- most of northern Indiana is listed as moderate to abnormally dry.
During March, April, May and now June, we've seen at least an inch or more below normal rainfall per month.
"It is dry," says Clay Fire Territory Chief John Vance.
Vance says the lack of rain is posing a safety risk. In the last 12 days there have been 10 grass fires -- that is compared to a total of 10 fires last month. Vance says if our area doesn't get significant rain soon, the county may consider a burn ban.
"So if they get a fire -- because of a recreational burn or a permit fire. They need to call 911," says Vance, "a free burning fire doubles in size every 60 seconds and it is not worth getting burned, losing your property or your life because you didn't call 911."
In St. Joseph County you need a permit to burn. If you chose to burn, fire fighters say do it when it isn't windy and don't leave your fire unattended.
As for water restrictions, according to South Bend Water Works, in the city's history that has never happened.
