Above average high temperatures continued with a high temperature this week of 81 degrees on Thursday March 25. The high fire danger warning and red flag warning has continued as the ground and vegetation continue to dry out. Nebraska’s largest wildfire ever continues to burn west of here along with several other wildfires in the area. The soil is dry and powdery where there isn't much vegetation. The grass has greened up to some extent but there are many areas of brown. A few trees and shrubs and perennial flowers are coming out of dormancy. We received 0.00 inch of precipitation this week the ground is drying up. Conditions are moderately dry. March precipitation has totaled only 0.55 inch (1.19 inch below normal, or 32 percent of normal). Precipitation here for the year is now 2.40 inch, which is 1.12 inch below normal (68 percent of normal). Precipitation for the water year is 2.62 inch below normal (70 percent of normal). Plants and wildlife. Bird visits to the heated bird bath remained steady this week due to the limited sources of water. Approximately 25 species of birds (about 150 to 160 birds visit each day). Water Supply Water level in Standing Bear Lake (approximately 0.2 mile to the east of here) is more than 2 feet below normal. Area creeks and ponds are also about 2 to 2.5 feet below normal.