September 2010 was one of the hottest and driest months of September on record. Because similar conditions prevailed during August, drought conditions intensified during September. Near the end of the month nearly one half of Indiana was experiencing moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Numerous field fires occurred on several days during the month, the most since September 1999.
September 2010 was another very dry month for central and southern Indiana.  Measurable rain fell on only 4 to 8 days during September. An inch or more of rain fell on 1 day at a few locations. Many central Indiana areas received little or no rain for 1 to 2 weeks stretches during the month. In portions of south central Indiana, some areas received little rain for the entire month.
The abnormally dry conditions of late August intensified during September.  The drought conditions during the month lead to numerous field fires across Indiana. Field fires were known to have occurred on the 1st, 13th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, and 30th. One fire on the 23rd in Rush County charred nearly 1,000 acres and threatened the small town of Williamstown. Other field fires during the month destroyed one rural house in Morgan County and damage one home in Marion County. According to Indiana Forestry, some of these field fires were almost totally out of control. On the last day of September, a forest fire broke out in Jackson County. The large fires during September coincided with the warm to hot temperatures, low relative humidity values, and moderate to strong winds.  Burning bans existed in 62 out of 92 Indiana counties on October 1 because of dry conditions.

Drought in MONROE, INDIANA
From 21-SEP-10 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-10 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

On September 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed the far southeast corner of Monroe County under a Severe (D2) Drought designation.  A county-wide burn ban was also in effect.  This lasted through the end of the month of September.

Drought in JACKSON, INDIANA
From 21-SEP-10 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-10 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

On September 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed all of Jackson County under a Severe (D2) Drought designation.  A county-wide burn ban was also in effect.  This lasted through the end of the month of September.  The effects of the drought were particularly felt as a large forest fire developed on September 30th in the far southwest part of the county.  About 60 acres of woodland was burned and the cause of the fire was undetermined.

Drought in JENNINGS, INDIANA
From 21-SEP-10 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-10 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

On September 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed all of Jennings County under a Severe (D2) Drought designation.  A countywide burn ban was also in effect.  This lasted through the end of the month of September.

Drought in BARTHOLOMEW, INDIANA
From 21-SEP-10 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-10 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

On September 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed most of Bartholomew County under a Severe (D2) Drought designation.  A countywide burn ban was also in effect.  This lasted through the end of the month of September.  The effects of the drought were particularly felt as a field fire spread across 30 to 35 harvested acres on the afternoon of September 30th.  This fire was located near the intersection of County Road 300N and Talley Road, northeast of Columbus.  The cause of the fire was unknown.

Drought in DECATUR, INDIANA
From 21-SEP-10 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-10 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

On September 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed most of Decatur County under a Severe (D2) Drought designation.  A county-wide burn ban was also in effect.  This lasted through the end of the month of September.

Drought in BROWN, INDIANA
From 21-SEP-10 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-10 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

On September 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed much of Brown County under a Severe (D2) Drought designation.  A county-wide burn ban was also in effect.  This lasted through the end of the month of September.

Drought in LAWRENCE, INDIANA
From 21-SEP-10 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-10 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

On September 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed most of Lawrence County under a Severe (D2) Drought designation.  A county-wide burn ban was also in effect.  This lasted through the end of the month of September.

Drought in MARTIN, INDIANA
From 21-SEP-10 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-10 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

On September 21st, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed a southeast portion of Martin County under a Severe (D2) Drought designation.  A county-wide burn ban was also in effect.  This lasted through the end of the month of September.