Dry Weather Brings Drought Conditions Back To Rhode Island

NEWPORT, RI — Rhode Island is back in a pattern of unseasonably dry weather, leading to the return of drought conditions in the state. Amid the dry conditions, environmental officials are urging residents to be extra careful to avoid brush fires in the state.

Lower-than-average rainfall, combined with low water levels in streams, groundwater and soil moisture led to worsening drought conditions in the past week, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said. All the state, including Block Island, is categorized as "abnormally dry," the first of five levels of drought conditions.

The department reminded Rhode Islanders to be extra careful around outdoor fires, which can spread quickly through dry brush. All residents must get a permit from their local fire department before burning outdoors. Anyone who is found to have caused a brush fire may be held liable for suppression costs and damages, the department said, even if they had a permit to burn.

Drought is not new in the Ocean State. "Extreme drought" conditions were found across the state last year, leading then-Gov. Gina Raimondo to issue a drought advisory in September. Conditions improved in the fall and winter months, and the drought status was cleared heading into the first week of 2021.

This year's dry weather comes earlier than 2020, when the first abnormally dry conditions were recorded on May 26.