PHOTO BY DAVID LOWE With little rain this summer, homeowners in and around Lampasas have had to rely heavily on sprinkler systems to water their lawns. Forecasts call for hot, dry weather to continue for at least the next few weeks. As stock tanks dry, grass turns brown and homeowners increase their watering, forecasts show little opportunity for relief from hot, dry weather.

The high temperature in Lampasas has reached 95 degrees every day but one since July 10, according to accuweather.com records. The high temperature has reached or exceeded 100 degrees eight days since July 26.

Lampasas has received 4.75 inches of rain since June 1 and just 17.49 inches for the year, according to the local National Weather Service observer site.

Forecasts on accuweather.com and The Weather Channel's Web site, www.weather.com, both show some possibility of showers from tropical storm Edouard through Wednesday, and they predict daily highs of 95 degrees or hotter through Aug. 15.

Extended forecasts are less conclusive, but the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center estimates a 35 percent to 40 percent likelihood of above-average temperatures through October.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, produced by the Texas Forest Service, places Lampasas County in the second-greatest drought category on its 800- point scale.

Dry conditions have elevated the risk of grass fires. One recent blaze near County Road 2806 scorched 400 acres and burned a barn before the Lampasas, Kempner, Lometa, Adamsville, Coryell and Burnet fire departments quelled the fire. The Texas Forest Service provided helicopter assistance in fighting the blaze.

A ban on outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county remains in effect. A violation of the order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

Along with raising the risk of fires, prolonged dry weather is beginning to hamper agricultural production.

Rancher Jerry Skiles said the goats on his property have not had much forage to graze.

"They don't go too far from the water, and they don't want to get too far out from where I feed them," Skiles said. "I guess there's just nothing out there to eat."

Skiles has been feeding his goats more this year than usual and said he may have to sell some of his livestock.

"We're sort of in a bind right now," he said. "We needed rain a long time ago, and even if we get some it might be too late."

The city of Lampasas has not mandated limits on watering, and continued dry weather may boost city revenue from water sales. Water consumption in May and June increased 20 million gallons compared to the same two months in 2007, said Carol Boberg, city of Lampasas chief accountant.