Map via the Agency of Natural ResourcesFollowing reports of ongoing dry conditions, high winds and an abundance of fuel, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has extended its ban on issuing debris burning permits in the southern portion of the state.The ban is in effect for Bennington, Rutland, Windham and Windsor counties until Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. A lack of significant rainfall has led to drought conditions in those four counties and abnormally dry conditions in large swaths of the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The continued dry weather, along with high winds and plentiful dry leaves and other fuel, means wildfires could spread rapidly, according to a press release from the forests, parks and recreation department. Those conditions are particularly critical in the southern part of the state, where dry soil and the presence of larger fuels create the potential for more severe fires, according to the department’s press release.The state’s fire danger map shows a high risk of fire in southern Vermont, and wind gusts reaching over 30 mph have further exacerbated the risk, accelerating the potential for fires to ignite and expand. These conditions led to a serious wildfire on Nov. 8, when a downed power line sparked a wildfire near Melchen Road in Brattleboro. Fueled by high winds and parched terrain, the fire quickly spread across 10.5 acres, according to a press release from the Brattleboro Fire Department. A small fire crew worked overnight to bring the blaze under control, finally containing it by Saturday afternoon, said Brattleboro Fire Chief Leonard Howard III. With the use of firelines, an area that serves as a barrier to stop or slow the spread of a wildfire and created by removing vegetation and debris, the fire crew was able to contain the fire.“With the dry conditions that we had and with the strong wind on Friday night, the crews made the firelines,” said Howard in an interview Monday. “Multiple firelines were put into place and eventually they were able to get the fire surrounded by 8:30 on Friday night.”The dry conditions aren’t limited to Vermont. Southern New England is also experiencing drought, with Massachusetts and Connecticut battling several wildfires over the past two weeks.A previous statewide ban, implemented Oct. 28, ended today, but local conditions may vary and town forest fire wardens may have their own burning restrictions in place. Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont extends ban on debris burning for southern Vermont.