 According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of Pitt County are now in severe drought. That's led to an increase in vegetation and brush fires. Several counties have responded to the droughts and fires by implementing water restrictions. That includes Wilson County Water Services. Chief Michael Brown of the Red Oak Fire Department tells WNCT they hope to avoid mandatory restrictions in the near future. To get to this period of having an extreme drought, we've gone for such a long time with much less rain.