Heavy rains pause drought and reduce fires

Heavy rains pause drought and reduce fires

Lake Russell. Charlie Russell photo. The heavy rains have helped alleviate the drought conditions experienced over the past year on the Eastern Shore. Rainfall totals from Sunday night through Monday morning reached 1.7 inches in central Accomack County, bringing the year-to-date total to 11.5 inches. The increased moisture has significantly reduced the number of brush fires reported in both counties. However, the burn ban remains in effect, res…