Drought

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation on June 18 as two blazes continued to encroach on Ruidoso, prompting the evacuation of roughly 5,000 people. The South Fork Fire on the northern side of Ruidoso began on Mescalero Apache tribal land on the morning of June 17 and had burned nearly 14,000 acres within a day. The Salt Fire to the south was also burning on tribal land and had blackened 2,800 acres. Much of the area has been in extreme drought for nearly a year. CNN (Atlanta, Ga.), June 18, 2024

After ample rainfall across parts of Florida, counties were rescinding burn bans. The Glades County Commissioners issued a burn ban this week after determining emergency conditions including extreme drought and related weather concerns existed. Glades County is one of ten other counties with a burn ban in effect, including Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Polk, Sarasota and Seminole counties. WGCU 90.1 FM Fort Myers (Fla.), May 30, 2024 A countywide burn ban took effect in Manatee County due to ongoing drought and the heightened fire risk. All outdoor burning was prohibited, as was the use and discharge of fireworks and sparklers. WTSP 10 Tampa Bay (Fla.), June 3, 2024 A burn ban took effect in Okeechobee County due to dry conditions. Trash fires, campfires, bonfires and the use of burn barrels is prohibited. WPBF-TV ABC 25 West Palm Beach (Fla.), June 6, 2024 A local state of emergency and a countywide burn ban took effect on June 10 for St. Lucie County. WQCS-FM (Fort Pierce, Fla.), June 10, 2024 The Manatee Board of County Commissioners met for an emergency session and extended the burn ban on all outdoor burning and the use of fireworks and sparklers. The burn ban will remain in effect for another seven days. WWSB-TV ABC 7 My Sun Coast Sarasota (Fla.), June 10, 2024

Medina Lake has dropped to 2.4% of capacity, its lowest in the last 60 years. The depleted lake has a dire effect on local businesses. One café worked to increase its social media presence and began online sales to stay open. Homeowners have also seen a drop in property values with the lake so low. WOAI News 4 San Antonio (Texas), June 13, 2024

Arizona's searing hot summers and ongoing drought leave wildlife in Tucson without enough drinking water. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is addressing the need by maintaining 3,000 wildlife waters across the state. KGUN 9 Online (Tucson, Ariz.), June 12, 2024

The city of Laredo is adding surcharges to homes and businesses that use more than a certain amount of water as the city is in Stage 3 water restrictions due to heat, drought and a lack of water payments from Mexico. Water users will be billed a $10 surcharge for each 1,000 gallons above a certain amount. The Laredo mayor and some city council members voiced their criticism of other communities along the Rio Grande River that were not choosing to ration water. Border Report (McAllen, Texas), June 13, 2024

In the Winter Garden area of West Texas, some corn fields received enough rain to emerge and grow somewhat, but they never got more than a half inch of rain. Farmers were making hay out of that corn. Lakes were low. Wells and livestock tanks were going dry, and creeks and rivers were not flowing. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 11, 2024

The sale and use of most fireworks are banned through Independence Day and into the second week of July for all wildlands and unincorporated parts of Santa Fe County. Factors warranting the ban were abnormally high temperatures, low humidity, high winds and the abundance of dry fuel material. The ban included missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, stick-type rockets and ground audible devices. Santa Fe New Mexico, June 12, 2024

A Cameron County citrus grower opted to bulldoze about 40 acres of citrus trees for lack of water amid drought and very low reservoir levels on the Rio Grande River. The farmer chose to use his reduced water supply on more productive crops rather than less productive ones. Another grower in the Valley was hoping to avoid tearing out trees and switching crops. KRGV-TV Channel 5 Weslaco (Texas), June 7, 2024

Starr County commissioners approved a drought-related disaster declaration on June 10 that will remain in effect through July 10 unless rescinded. The heat and below normal rainfall create a fire threat that could lead to injuries, deaths and property damage. KRGV-TV Channel 5 Weslaco (Texas), June 11, 2024

Laredo residents were able to fill their swimming pools only one day per week effective July 12, when the Water Conservation Drought Contingency Plan-Stage 3 took effect. Newsweek (New York), June 10, 2024

The City of Waco asks water users to limit outdoor watering to three days per week beginning in July to conserve water. KCEN HD (Temple, Texas), June 10, 2024

Skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins will be banned for sale and use in El Paso County due to persistent drought. KVIA-TV ABC 7 El Paso (Texas), June 10, 2024

The spring drought and the heat have left Clear Lake, the primary reservoir for the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach, at a very low level. The shoreline has moved by more than 50 feet in some areas. The Department of Public Utilities is pumping 10 million gallons of water daily from its wells while nearly half of residential water use is used for watering lawns. WPTV-TV NBC 5 West Palm Beach (Fla.), June 10, 2024 West Palm Beach officials were urging residents to conserve water. The city’s water comes from the Grassy Waters Preserve and Clear Lake, which has been affected by record heat and a lack of rainfall. The city has supplemented its water supply with an aquifer that contributes about 10 million gallons of water daily. WPBF-TV ABC 25 West Palm Beach (Fla.), June 6, 2024

The City of Ellsworth declared a water warning due to ongoing drought conditions and a significant decline in the town’s water supply. Lawn watering is restricted to certain hours on certain days. KWCH 12 (Wichita, Kan.), June 7, 2024

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply has launched their “Don’t Waste a Drop” conservation campaign. Parts of the county were in moderate to severe drought as the dry summer months arrive. “Water resources are already strained in Upcountry and West Maui, and during the dry, hot summer months, water demand is typically higher, so we need all residents and visitors alike, in every part of the island, to be extra mindful of their water use,” explained the county director of water supply. Maui Now (Kahului, Hawaii), June 6, 2024

The Edwards Aquifer Authority entered Stage 4 water restrictions from Stage 3 due to the 10-day rolling average falling below 100 cubic feet per second. Pumping must be reduced by 40%. The flow rate at Comal Springs in New Braunfels triggered the restrictions. The J-17 index well in Bexar County was also near Stage 4 at 630.1 feet on June 7. The Stage 4 trigger is a 10-day average of 630 feet. SAWS has been in Stage 2 restrictions since April 2022, when the J-17 well dropped below 650 feet. San Antonio Express-News (Texas), June 7, 2024 The Edwards Aquifer Authority announced a change in water restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 3 as the level of the J-17 index well in Bexar County fell. The 10-day rolling average level of the well was 639.9 feet above mean sea level, triggering Stage 3 when the average dropped below 640 feet. Permit holders can pump just 65% of their usual water allotments. In late January, EAA went from Stage 3 to Stage 2. San Antonio Express-News (Texas), April 4, 2024

The Coastal Bend continued to experience hot and dry conditions but received much-needed rainfall late last week. The rain came with some storms, which produced hail damage to the west end of the district. There was some stress showing in row crops. Corn and grain sorghum were maturing rapidly and rice was beginning to head out. Stinkbugs continued to be a problem in some cotton fields, and while hot, dry conditions were beginning to impact cotton plants, most cotton still fared well. Hay harvest continued, but current production still fell short of normal levels with herbicide applications continuing in pastures. Livestock fared well, but supplementation was beginning due to declining forage conditions. Producers faced tough management decisions regarding livestock. Cattle remained in good condition with strong prices. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 4, 2024 The Coastal Bend reported rainfall amounts ranged from zero to 3 inches. A possible tornado knocked down trees and some limbs Thursday evening in one area. High winds also caused severe lodging in corn and grain sorghum in the northernmost and southernmost parts of the region. Corn and sorghum crops were progressing well but still needed significant rainfall to improve bushel weight. Cotton looked good but was starting to show signs of stress due to dry conditions and flea hoppers, which continued to be a problem for producers. Some fungicides were sprayed on corn and sorghum. Some rice fields were starting to go under flood. The warm season perennial hay harvest was in full swing for the first cutting, with yields varying from fair to good. In some areas, harvest was halted due to frequent rain. Range and pasture conditions were fair to good in most areas but beginning to deteriorate quickly in others. Livestock remained in good condition, but early market sales were occurring due to diminishing forage supplies. Ranchers may face tough management decisions soon without significant rain. Cattle prices remained near historic highs. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 21, 2024

Scattered showers and thunderstorms with hail were reported in parts of the Texas Panhandle. Some hail damage was reported, including heavy losses in a few cotton fields and injury to recently emerged corn. Wheat harvest was happening quickly with 90% of fields being chopped for silage. Overall, soil moisture ranged from short to adequate with pasture and range conditions varying from poor to fair. Overall crops were in poor to good condition. Pastures looked decent, but some areas may need a reduction in cattle numbers without precipitation. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 4, 2024 The Panhandle received widespread showers last week, and corn and cotton plantings continued at a rapid pace with favorable conditions. Silage harvesting was complete, and harvest continued on small grain fields. There was grain fill and maturity reported in the remaining wheat, oats or triticale. Pasture and range conditions were poor to fair. Overall soil moisture was short to adequate, and overall crop conditions were poor. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 21, 2024

The city of Cape Coral enacted a temporary burn ban on June 5 to limit fire hazards within the city and protect residents. The ban will remain in effect until the local drought index has been below 600 for 7 consecutive days. WBBH-TV NBC 2 Fort Myers (Fla.), June 5, 2024

A burn ban took effect in Flagler County on June 5, as did a local state of emergency. The ban will last seven days and includes Palm Coast, Bunnell and Flagler Beach. Flagler Live (Palm Coast, Fla.), June 5, 2024