The mayor of Tuscaloosa, Walt Maddox said that voluntary water conservation efforts are working to sustain the city of Tuscaloosa's water reserves, but an equipment failure or major fire could force the city into mandatory water conservation efforts.

So far the water levels are showing some gain.  Recently the reserves had been tapped by as much as 25%.  The mayor still says that Tuscaloosa's water system isn't past the crisis stage yet, but if the present trend continues, he doesn't think that we'll have to have stronger conservation efforts.

The Alabama Forestry Commission just issued a no-burn order for 59 counties throughout Alabama, including all counties in West Alabama.  Under this order, it is against the law for campfires, fires to burn trash and debris, or any fires for that matter.  Severe drought conditions are causing far too many problems on our water supply to have to deal with putting out fires.