wildfire

A wildfire burns in central Alabama in 2011. (AL.com file photo)

Little to no rainfall and above-normal temperatures have prompted state officials to declare a drought emergency in 28 counties on Tuesday.

The ongoing drought has forced officials to ban outdoor burning statewide to reduce the risk of wildfires. Gov. Robert Bentley signed a Drought Emergency Declaration last week because of the dry conditions. The last time a drought declaration was made was during the 2007 drought.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs' Office of Water Resources has been examining the impact of the drought throughout the state. Officials said falling reservoir and groundwater levels have shown that the drought has become more severe in north, east and central Alabama.

The counties under the emergency status include:

Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Blount, Cherokee, Cullman, Etowah, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Walker, Winston, Calhoun, Chambers, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Randolph, Talladega and Tallapoosa.

Tom Littlepage, manager of OWR's Water Management Unit, said the office is working with public water systems, farmers, reservoir operators and industries to talk about water conversation and how to minimize the negative impacts of the drought.

"As water levels drop, we strongly urge public water systems and other users of large amounts of water to continue to carefully monitor conditions and implement their drought conservation plans, as needed," Littlepage said.