LOUISBURG, N.C. (WTVD) — Drought conditions across central North Carolina are creating growing challenges for farmers as they prepare to harvest some crops and plant others, raising concerns about yields and long-term economic impacts.

Fields in Franklin County show signs of prolonged dryness as farmers work through a critical point in the growing season. One farmer planting corn on Thursday said it is the driest he has seen in quite some time.

“Sometimes I just wonder how we do make it,” said Travis Nelms, a fourth-generation farmer at N&N Farms in Louisburg.

Nelms is among many farmers facing multiple pressures at once. Rising fuel and fertilizer prices have already increased production costs, and the dry conditions are adding further strain. Despite that, he said optimism remains part of the job.

“It kind of goes back to that farmer’s optimism. We’re optimistic folks because here we are in a drought like this, and trying to plant seed in the ground to make a crop in the dry time,” Nelms said.

The lack of moisture is evident in the soil itself. As Nelms planted, he pointed to uneven, clumped earth caused by the dryness.

“You can see all around out here, it just came up clumpy. This is just extremely dry right now,” he said.

The drought is also affecting crop yields. Nelms said wheat fields are already showing signs of reduced production.

“Right now it’s looking to be a 35-to-40-bushel crop. I’m about a half a crop is what I’m looking at right now,” he said.

Agricultural economists say farmers are being forced to make difficult decisions about whether to plant without enough moisture in the ground.

“It’s time to be planting crops, and so a lot of farmers are probably considering, should I plant? Do I have enough moisture? Will the plants germinate?” said Jeffrey Dorfman, an agricultural economics professor at NC State.

Dorfman said the drought compounds financial challenges many farmers already face.

“They’re getting less for their crops, and it’s costing them 65% more to grow them. It’s not a good situation. This is just sort of an insult to injury,” he said.

For now, farmers like Nelms say they are relying on hope for rain to arrive soon.

“As always, we just hope it rains in a timely manner. And if it don’t get a good staying, I don’t know what we’ll do,” he said.

Experts warn that if dry conditions continue, the effects could extend beyond farms. Less crop production can mean less income for farmers, which can reduce spending in rural communities and impact local economies across the region.

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — As fire conditions continue, a statewide burn ban remains in effect in North Carolina.

According to the North Carolina Forest Service, debris from Helene could impact fire risk for the next 10 to 20 years.

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“The wildfire that burned in Wilkes County, Cane Creek fire, that one was a 574-acre fire. The Jumping Branch, of course, went 400 plus,” said Philip Jackson, the public information officer with the North Carolina Forest Service.

Jackson says that several of the fires over the last couple of weeks have burned in areas with substantial Helene damage.

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“Fires that might only go 10 or 20 acres in a typical year might go 50 or 100 acres just because of the significant fuel source that they’re going to be able to burn off of in the form of Hurricane Helene-downed timber,” said Jackson.

He said the debris also slows response times.

“That same exact storm debris, first responders, forest service, hand crews, are going to have to navigate that fuel, navigate that debris in order to reach the fire area,” said Jackson.

We talked to some local residents who share the same concerns.

“We’re still rebuilding from Helene, so anything that gets burned down is just another step backwards,” said Lucas Nance, an Asheville resident.

“We all have to do our part to be safe. I wish people would take it more seriously,” said Hays Berry, another resident.

The current burn ban has been in effect since March 28. Jackson said there’s no telling how long this current burn ban will last.

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“Just a combination of those dry conditions is why we have the burn ban. And we’re looking for a combination of wetter conditions and improvement before we would lift the burn ban. And so if you look at the forecast, not a whole lot of relief in sight,” said Jackson.

Nicole DelCogliano, a farmer in Burnsville, said the burn ban doesn’t affect their work too much and that it’s temporary.

She says she’s more concerned about the dry conditions and the threat of wildfire.

“Wildfire risk, that’s just increased with post-Helene landscape, the massive devastation in our forests and also the dry conditions. It’s just a recipe for disaster,” said DelCogliano.