Drought

More than 1.7 million acres burned in Alaska as of June 30, according to the National Interagency Fire Center and the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Wildland Fire Dashboard. Limited snow over the winter allowed early snowmelt and dry vegetation, which advanced the start of the wildfire season. CNN (Atlanta, Ga.), June 30, 2022 A new wildfire record was set for Alaska when the number of acres burned reached the one million mark on June 15, the earliest in decades. Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), June 30, 2022

The June monsoon moisture has been very welcome, but more is still needed, say local fire officials. Sandoval County Fire, Bernalillo and Corrales extended their fireworks restrictions through late July. Rio Rancho’s burn ban is scheduled to expire on July 15, but Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue has not ruled out extending the ban. The Bernalillo fire chief noted that he was still worried about the dry fuels in combination with the heat heightening the fire risk. Rio Rancho Observer (N.M.), June 30, 2022

Stage 2 water restrictions began in Georgetown on June 28 because continued high water use was nearing system treatment capacity. During the past two weeks, water production from the city’s water treatment plants has exceeded 90% of capacity on multiple days, triggering the need to move to Stage 2 of the Drought Plan. Outdoor watering will be permitted once per week. FOX 7 Austin (Texas), June 30, 2022

The North Etiwanda Preserve, north of Rancho Cucamonga, will be closed from July 1 through July 5, due to “high fire danger.” San Bernardino Sun (Calif.), June 29, 2022

Some areas of the Angeles National Forest were temporarily closed for the Fourth of July weekend. The Millard Campground will be closed from July 1 to July 7, and vehicular traffic will be temporarily closed at the Chaney Road gate leading to the Millard Day Use Area. San Bernardino Sun (Calif.), June 29, 2022

The San Bernardino National Forest increased its fire danger level to “very high” on June 28 before the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Persistent hot, dry weather, below-normal moisture levels in fuels and severe drought conditions were reasons given for the change. San Bernardino Sun (Calif.), June 29, 2022

Three dry weeks have left Calloway County farmers on edge waiting for rain. The lack of rain combined with the heat has substantially damaged area crops, according to the dean of Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture. Corn is at the tasseling stage and might not fully recover even if rain falls soon. Pastures are drying up, and farmers are starting to think about feeding hay. Crops have been suffering from the dryness since about mid-June. While many tobacco farmers install drip tape to water their crop, the supply of drip irrigation tape is scarce. Farmers that have irrigation capability have been irrigating heavily, even though it is costly. Murray Ledger & Times (Ky.), June 30, 2022

Georgetown residents should not water lawns or landscaping in the heat of the day between noon and 7 p.m. starting March 30 as Phase 1 of the city’s drought contingency plan took effect. The Brazos River Authority entered a Stage 1 Drought Watch for Lake Georgetown. Outdoor watering was only allowed twice weekly according to the watering schedule. KVUE-TV ABC Austin (Texas), March 30, 2022

The Groveland Water and Sewer Department issued an outdoor water ban, effective June 28, because the Commonwealth declared a level 2 drought. Residents were urged to forego all outdoor watering. The town’s water levels were low, which causes more minerals to be drawn from the ground, causing discolored water. John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC (Georgetown, Mass.), June 29, 2022

Cotton, corn, oats, and wheat in the Panhandle-South Plains region of Texas have taken a beating from the heat and drought. About 54% of the state’s cotton was in fair or better condition; about 62% of the corn was in fair or better condition; and about 17% of the wheat was in fair or better condition. Oat, sorghum and peanut crops were also struggling with 22%, 58% and 79% in fair or better condition. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Texas), June 29, 2022

Stage 1 mandatory restrictions began in Round Rock on June 29, limiting water users to two outdoor watering days each week. The Brazos River Authority issued a Stage 1 drought warning declaration for Lake Georgetown in March. Most of Round Rock’s water comes from Lake Georgetown. KXAN-TV NBC 36 Austin (Texas), June 29, 2022

Los Angeles County firefighters were on heightened alert, due to drought and the upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Residents were urged to be sensible with fireworks, avoid the illegal ones, and use the 'safe and sane' fireworks carefully to avoid sparking a fire. KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles (Calif.), June 27, 2022

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District does not have enough water to supply farmers for the fall crop, so farmers need to make smart decisions about whether to plant, said the CEO of the district. Although the monsoon has begun, rain was expected to be average to below-average. KRQE (Albuquerque, N.M.), June 28, 2022

Residents of Lexington were asked to be cautious with fireworks, given the dry conditions. Lexington Clipper-Herald (Neb.), June 28, 2022

Some Brazos County water providers, such as Wellborn Special Utility District and Wickson Creek Special Utility District, were urging their customers to conserve water voluntarily. Water use for the College Station water utility climbed from 14 to 15 million gallons of water daily to 22 million gallons as high temperatures drove up water use. KBTX (Bryan, Texas), June 27, 2022

The Victoria County judge stated that the county will remain in the disaster status until the fire threat eases, which he anticipates will be longer than a week. Victoria Advocate (Texas), June 27, 2022 Victoria County Judge Ben Zeller issued a Declaration of Local Disaster on June 21, due to the county’s severe drought and fire conditions. Firework sales will also be prohibited in Victoria County. The use of fireworks is banned outside the city limits of Victoria. Crossroads Today (Texas), June 21, 2022

The Guadalupe River was flowing at its slowest average rate since June 26, 2021, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Victoria gets its water from three sources—Canyon Lake, the Comal Springs in New Braunfels and San Marcos Springs—which flow to Victoria via the Guadalupe River. The springs are producing less water due to the drought. Victoria entered Stage II of its drought contingency plan on June 13 as the average flow of the river fell below 250 cubic feet per second. Victoria Advocate (Texas), June 28, 2022 Victoria entered stage II of its drought contingency plan due to low rainfall north of Victoria as the flow of the Guadalupe River has fallen below 250 cubic feet per second, which is the trigger for stage II. At this level, Victoria can no longer pump water from the river under its 1998 surface water permit. The city was seeking authorization to continue drawing water from the river, despite the low flow. Victoria entered Stage I of the plan in May. Crossroads Today (Victoria, Texas), June 13, 2022

White-tailed deer in Texas face less hospitable conditions as heat and drought parch the landscape and turn it brown. Hunters ought to expect below average antler quality and body weights, although harvest opportunity is likely to be high as deer will likely visit feeders this fall, advised the whitetail program leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Outdoor Life (Denver, Colo.), June 21, 2022

The Roosevelt County Board of Commissioners extended the declaration of extreme drought and fire danger emergency within the unincorporated areas of Roosevelt County on June 13. The resolution will remain in effect for 45 days and will be reevaluated at a July 26 meeting. KCIT-TV MyHighPlains.com (Amarillo, Texas), June 27, 2022

San Antonio’s trees are displaying signs of heat and drought stress after months with little rain. Last year’s light rains did not bring enough moisture for deep-rooted trees. Some trees are toppling over, while others are losing leaves. People are encouraged to deeply water their trees. KENS 5 (San Antonio, Texas), June 27, 2022