The latest survey from the US Drought Monitor is complete, and it shows all of North Carolina continues to suffer from unprecedented drought. In figures released yesterday, the percentage of the state covered by D-4, or the worst drought, was up almost a quarter, to nearly 21-percent of the state. The D-4 area comes as close as western Wautauga county. D-3 affects the foothills, including southern Wilkes. Most of Wilkes county is under the second-mildest level of drought, the D-2 status. D-2 conditions extend across the northern and eastern part of the state, covering just over 41-percent of the state. D-1, the lowest level of drought conditions, starts just north of Elkin and extends into Virginia. Forestry officials remind those who might be considering burning outdoors that the statewide burn ban remains in effect.

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