Pike County Missouri has joined the growing list of area places that are issuing burn advisories.

Commissioners are urging residents to use caution and avoid open burning. Pike County has no ordinance to enforce the advisory, but people could be personally liable for any property damage or injuries that result from uncontained fires.

Although the first few months of 2015 saw normal to heavy precipitation, the last few weeks have been especially rain-free.

Missouri this year had its driest September since 2004, with some parts of the Northeast region getting less than a half-inch of rain. Pike County usually gets about three inches of precipitation in September.

Commissioners issued similar burn advisories in March 2014 and August 2013.

The U.S. Drought Monitor currently lists Pike County and other parts of Northeast Missouri as abnormally dry.