The recent drought situation across the state of Alabama has left 32 counties presently under a &#8220Zero Burn” fire advisory, according to Luverne Volunteer Fire Department Asst. Chief William Neal.

Neal told the Luverne City Council that if Crenshaw County did not receive some &#8220significant rainfall” soon, it was very possible that the county could be on that &#8220Zero Burn” list within three weeks.

&#8220We are one step from being on that list,” Neal said.

Because of the drought, several counties have already cancelled July 4 fireworks displays because of the obvious dry conditions and fire hazards.

Neal added that if the county did not receive a good amount of rain over the next three weeks or so, there was the &#8220real possibility” that there would not be any fireworks displays for the city or the county.

Neal also reported that during the month of May, the Luverne VFD responded to 20 emergency calls, including an arson structure fire on Ivy Creek Road on May 7. Luverne assisted Rutledge and Chapel Hill VFDs.

On May 24, Luverne VFD assisted Glenwood VFD at a large structure fire on College Street in Glenwood.

On May 26, the VFD responded to a traffic accident at South Moody's CrossRoads Rd. A teenage driver had to be cut out of an overturned vehicle.

Luverne Council Member Dr. Pat Walker thanked and commended the Luverne VFD and police department for answering a May 15 call to his residence when a six to eight-foot fire along his property's fence was spotted by a neighbor at 6 a.m.

&#8220It could have been worse,” Walker said. &#8220I want to personally commend both departments for what they did for us.”

Neal also reported to the council that several brush fires have occurred both within the city limits as well as within the county during the month of May.

City engineer Morris Tate reported that even though the water level in Well #1 in the city has dropped seven feet and Well #2 has dropped eight feet, the city is still &#8220in good shape.”

&#8220We have a good water supply,” Tate said.

&#8220When we get the new well, it will be at the same level as the two existing wells,” he added. &#8220Once we get under contract, it should take about six months to finish it.”