(Radio Iowa) – The latest U-S Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Iowa in abnormally dry or drought conditions, with portions of Monona and Harrison counties in western Iowa in severe drought. It is the first time since May that any area of the state has carried a severe drought designation. Glenwood Fire Chief Matt Gray says the dry weather made conditions ripe for grass and field fires, and fire departments don’t have as many firefighters as they used to.

Gray says the cooperation among departments has helped everyone deal with a tough situation.

Shenandoah Fire Chief Justin Marshall says farmers need to be working in the fields to bring in the crops and that increases the fire danger.

Marshall says there’s no rain in the forecast, so the risk will stay high into next week.

The number of burn bans has more than doubled this week and now includes 35 counties.