Menomonee Falls lifts burn ban due to recent storms, higher humidity levels

By WTMJ News Team

CREATED Jul. 26, 2012

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MENOMONEE FALLS- Southeast Wisconsin is still in a drought, but recent storms are helping.

Lawns in Menomonee Falls are still pretty dry, but with the rain we've received in the last couple of days added with the extra humidity, the fire chief has lifted the burn ban.

This rain is good news not only for residents here, but also for farmers.

Menomonee Falls has had a strict burn ban since the middle of June, but on Thursday, there is relief.

Menomonee Falls Fire Chief Jeff Hevey said even though he lifted the ban, doesn't mean he won't put the ban in affect again if we don't continue getting rain.

"We took a quick look at the rain we got in the past couple of days.  The humidity levels are up.  The wind is down today," said Hevey.  "We're always watching the weather.  There is that concern.  Long term here, I know we're still supposed to be dry."

Storm 4Caster Brian Gotter explains this rain is helpful, but says we're not out of the woods just yet.

"We are going to be in the drought for awhile," said Gotter.  "We're probably going to need a few of these rain events, two or three more of them to be even close to being out of the drought."

Regardless of how much more rain is needed, farmer Mark Gettelman said this recent storm couldn't have come at a better time.  "It's going to help me out a lot."

Farmers say the rain is a welcomed sight, saying they will be able to save most of their crops.

Gotter says the rain may help us downgrade from an extreme to a severe drought, but says we still need more rain.