Drought

Gov. Lamont declared a state of emergency for Connecticut due to drought, increased fire risk and fire activity. Connecticut residents were urged to avoid outdoor burning amid the critical fire weather. WTNH (New Haven, Ct.), Oct 25, 2024

A cranberry farm in the Pine Barrens has not had rain since Aug. 8 and no longer has water flowing from their natural reservoir. The limited water that they have must be carefully conserved for flooding cranberry bogs, frost protection and firefighting. Well water was being used, and the cost of diesel fuel was substantial with the bill for the past month, exceeding the diesel fuel expense for the whole year. WTXF-TV FOX 29 Philadelphia (Pa.), Oct 24, 2024

Fewer customers were visiting a garden center in Little Rock as dry conditions made establishing new plants a challenge. The plants at the garden center also required more irrigation to sustain them between the drought and the heat. Homeowners were also taking more time to water plants to keep them alive and healthy. KARK (Little Rock, Ark.), Oct 24, 2024

Stage 3 drought restrictions took effect in San Marcos at noon on Oct. 27 because the city’s water resources, which includes the Edwards Aquifer, Canyon Lake, Alliance Regional Water Authority, and Canyon Regional Water Authority, were low, requiring immediate and substantial water conservation. Under stage 3 restrictions, water waste is prohibited, and the use of sprinklers or sprinkler systems is permitted once per week. The level of the San Marcos River has fallen to a very concerning level. KXAN (Austin, Texas), Oct 25, 2024

The Tippecanoe County Board of Commissioners declared an emergency ban on open fires, campfires and other recreational fires and anything using conventional fuel like wood. Prolonged drought led to the emergency ban, which is scheduled to end on Oct. 31, but could be extended. Purdue Exponent (West Lafayette, Ind.), Oct 25, 2024

Berkshire County residents were warned to be cautious when using fire outside due to the dry conditions as the area was in a mild drought. The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.), Oct 20, 2024

Nearly 400 birds moved through the Freezout Lake area on Oct. 24, the highest number in a single day so far this fall migration, but still far below the thousands that are usually coming through at this time of year. "Due to ongoing drought related impacts, low water levels are also present across the WMA. Low water levels will also likely influence bird presence and distribution and subsequently, hunter harvest success," according to bird counters. NBC Montana (Missoula), Oct 25, 2024

The Alabama Forestry Commission has issued a Fire Danger Advisory for 22 counties in the west-central and southwest parts of the state effective immediately. The fire danger was rising, and blazes were becoming more difficult to control. The AFC was not issuing a burn restriction, but strongly discouraged any outdoor burning until conditions ease. “Dead pine trees from last year’s drought and the resulting southern pine beetle outbreak this year are contributing to fire intensity, which challenges containment efforts and presents additional hazards to firefighters,” said an AFC fire analyst. WPMI-TV NBC 15 (Mobile, Ala.), Oct 24, 2024

The harvest has been very dry and dusty, and punctuated by field fires. The dry field conditions allow the corn to dry down to 9% moisture, which is very low. Given the dry soil and fire danger, the disk is kept with the harvesting crew because the ground is too hard to disk and it’s good to have the disk near in case fire starts. It’s too dry not to plan for a blaze. The farmer was also doing extra combine checks to make sure nothing was overheating and no flammable materials were collecting anywhere. Two days of wildfire danger have delayed the harvest more than rain days (none). Ag Update (Tekamah, Neb.), Oct 23, 2024

The wildfire that began at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on Oct. 18 was contained after crews performed a back burn. The wildfire was located on the base, and no evacuations were needed. In the last week, 107 fires burned in The Garden State, charring 183 acres. NJ.com (Newark, N.J.), Oct 23, 2024

The Missouri Department of Conservation warned the public that burning materials outdoors could lead to a wildfire. KFVS12 (Cape Girardeau, Mo.), Oct 24, 2024

The Buffalo National River issued fire restrictions due to dry conditions across the region. Under the fire restrictions, lighting or maintaining a campfire within the boundaries of Buffalo National River is prohibited except within designated campgrounds with established campfire grates/rings and on gravel bars in areas that are naturally free of vegetation. KNWA-TV & FOX 24 (Fayetteville, Ark.), Oct 18, 2024

Hazleton’s Drought Contingency Plan took effect because its reservoirs were below the recommended level. Under Stage 1 restrictions, water users are asked to voluntarily curb their nonessential water use by 25%. WNEP (Moosic, Pa.), Oct 23, 2024

A burn ban has been in effect for East Feliciana Parish since Oct. 16 due to drought conditions. Days later on Oct. 22, parish firefighters responded to 15 separate fires along the side of Hwy 67 north of Clinton. Since the burn ban took effect, 30 blazes have occurred. Baton Rouge Advocate (La.), Oct 23, 2024

Delmarva Christmas tree growers have reported unprecedented losses this year. A Christmas tree farm in Denton lost about 300 mature trees amid the heat and drought of the summer. About 1,700 young trees with drip irrigation also perished as it was simply too hot for them. WBOC-TV CBS 16 Salisbury (Md.), Oct 21, 2024

Worcester officials limited all nonessential water uses to just one day weekly as the city was in a Level 1 Mild Drought. Stream levels were low. The National Weather Service also warned of a higher wildfire risk. The Level 1 drought declaration was to remain in effect until water levels return to normal. The National Weather Service announced a higher risk of wildfire. Amid such dry conditions, more surveillance occurs to track potential wildfires. Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.), Oct 22, 2024

Residents of Hatboro-Horsham were asked to conserve water and to be very careful with fire outdoors. Hatboro-Horsham, PA Patch, Oct 23, 2024

The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly warned of dry conditions, noting that any fires that start could become difficult to control very quickly. NWS Mount Holly strongly discouraged outdoor burning. The News Journal Online (Wilmington, Delaware), Oct 23, 2024

After three water main breaks within a week, and five since Oct. 9, Cape Girardeau’s old water system, drought and hydrant testing contributed to the breaks. Drought frequently causes stress on the water lines when it causes the soil to contract and shift. The hydrant testing may also be a stressor on the pipes. Some of the older cast iron pipes in Cape Girardeau date back to the 1890s. Southeast Missourian (Cape Girardeau, Mo.), Oct 22, 2024

Hopkinton water users were asked to refrain from any unnecessary water use. Groundwater levels were continuing to fall with the absence of rain, limiting pumping capacity. Water quality was also affected with some discoloration being observed. Newsweek (N.Y.), Oct 22, 2024