Last month was the third-driest November on record for North Carolina. That's based on new data just released by the State Climate Office. 

It was also the driest November for the state since 1931.

Unfortunately, the very dry conditions will continue for a while, as there is very little rain in the forecast over the next several days.

The weekly update to the drought monitor map was released Thursday. It now shows a severe drought has developed near Charlotte, the Sandhills and for a small part of northeastern North Carolina.

Based on coverage and severity, the state is currently experiencing its worst overall drought since 2011.

A moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions have been expanding across the Carolinas over the last few weeks.

The dry weather sets in just as much of the state experienced the first freezes of the season. As plants in the area became dormant, they also became very dry. That, along with dry leaves falling off trees, has provided fuel for these fires.

According to the State Climate Office of North Carolina, this has been the most active wildfire season for the state in the past five years.

The Grindstone Fire on Pilot Mountain made headlines as it started over the past weekend and spread rapidly into early this week. Officials have reported that fire started as a campfire in an undesignated area.

Another fire also started this week about 100 miles away from Pilot Mountain, on Pogue Mountain near Marion.

The state is in desperate need of a soaking rain. Unfortunately, rain is not in the forecast through at least the first half of the upcoming weekend.

Some parts of the mountains and locations along the immediate coast have a low chance to see light rain by late Sunday and early Monday. However, if that chance develops, rainfall totals would be around a tenth of an inch or less.

Check your local forecast here.

There are signs there may be a somewhat better chance for rain in the state around the middle to second half of next week and the forecast is growing in confidence that we'll see at least some rainfall. However, the latest forecast data is not all in agreement with how much rain we will end up with.

The long-range outlook for the entire month of December is for a drier-than-normal month across the state.

The statewide burn ban issued earlier this week by the North Carolina Forest Service will likely continue for the foreseable future.

The burn ban prohibits all open burns, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. 

According to the Forest Service, anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Anyone responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

The ban on open burning includes burning leaves, branches and any plant material. 

Outdoor grilling is allowed. However, campfires are not permitted.

If you have information on anyone intentionally setting a fire, the North Carolina Forest Service asks you to call 911.