Water restrictions in effect in Forks

FORKS, Wash. (AP) — The small Washington city whose frequently dismal and rainy atmosphere served as the backdrop of the "Twilight" vampire romance novels is facing emergency water restrictions.

The Peninsula Daily News reports that the mayor of Forks says city wells have reached critical levels after a dry summer, and lawn-watering, home car-washing, and filling of swimming pools or hot tubs is now banned until further notice. Violations warrant fines of up to $500.

Forks is near the northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula and adjacent to the Hoh Rain Forest. Stephanie Meyer, the author of the "Twilight" series, has said she wanted to set her books someplace "ridiculously rainy" and picked Forks after finding it on a Google search.

Officials say it will take a least a couple weeks of steady rain to replenish the wells.