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Hot, Dry Weather Takes a Toll in North Country

Story Published: Jul 14, 2012 at 8:50 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2012 at 8:50 PM EDT

Brown is the new green in the North Country.

Well, brown has replaced green as the color of most fields and lawns.

And with high temperatures and no rain, things have gotten dangerous.

"It's so dry that one spark could cause a major fire," said Adams Fire Chief Brian Berkey.

And because of that, Governor Andrew Cuomo has instituted a residential burn ban, effective for the next 90 days - because even a small fire can get out of control, quick.

"Before you can even snap your fingers, or anything like that, I mean, it's just major, a field can go up within seconds," Berkey explained.

The burn ban doesn't impact campgrounds, where controlled fires are still allowed.

But, because of the high temperatures, campers aren't making a lot of fires right now.

To beat the heat, they're looking for water. The beaches are crowded this weekend.

And how do people and workers find relief from the opressive heat at the Jefferson County Fair?

Fair officials say the nearly 40,000 people who have attended so far have a huge supply of water available to them, to go along with air conditioned buildings on site too.

"We're doing everything we can do to make sure everything is OK for the heat," said Fair President Bob Simpson.

And what about relief for fields and lawns in the North Country? Well, even with a little bit of rain in the forecast, this brown color we've all gotten used to isn't like to go away anytime soon.
 
Friday, May 24, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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