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Drought is causing home and building foundations to crack in North Dakota. The Jamestown Sun (N.D.), Aug 15, 2021

Drought drastically reduced the number of mosquitoes found in Grand Forks Public Health Department's traps, averaging nine mosquitoes. The West Nile virus, however, thrives in culex tarsalis mosquitoes, a species that does well in hotter, drier conditions, so the virus is still a concern. Grand Forks Herald (N.D.), Aug 13, 2021

Western U.S. governors sent a letter to President Biden on Sunday, Aug 15, requesting a federal disaster declaration. Signing onto the letter were the governors of Utah, Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota and Washington. In addition to the hardships of drought, many western states were also battling wildfires. The Center Square (Chicago, Ill.), Aug 16, 2021

Many of Minnesota’s streams were low like during the 1988 drought or even the Dust Bowl years as the state Department of Natural Resources categorized much of the state as being in a “restricted phase” as drought continued to worsen. Water use must be limited to no more than 25% above water use in January. The new DNR restrictions take effect for about 300 towns within the Mississippi River Headwaters, Rainy River and Red River watersheds. The area encompasses Minneapolis and St. Paul, most of central Minnesota and much of the northern part of the state. Minneapolis Star Tribune (Minn.), Aug 18, 2021

As wetlands and ponds dry up in East Bay Regional Parks, many of the native plants and trees were also dying, making the parks less habitable to wildlife. More animals, such as deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, skunks and raccoons were venturing into people’s yards, looking for food and water. EBRPD officials intend to increase water capacity in all parks by expanding existing ponds and restoring natural streams to provide better habitat for wildlife during the drought. KPIX CBS San Francisco (Calif.), Aug 13, 2021

Central Indiana has set a new historical low for rainfall with records dating back to 1871 as little rain has fallen since July 18, although conditions were much wetter prior to mid-July. In Westfield, Grand Park has begun consolidating their ponds and irrigating its sports fields, but has enough for the next month. WXIN-TV FOX59 (Indianapolis, Ind.), Aug 19, 2021

All evacuation orders and road closures were lifted as of 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 28.  Firefighters remain in the area. Please drive slowly for everyone's safety.The fire remains at 50 acres, with 30% containment.  Fire retardant has been dropped around the entire perimeter of the fire, and crews continue to work building hand lines to gain full

More than 1 million acres burned in wildfires in Washington and Oregon by Aug. 15, compared with about 52,500 acres by the same time in 2020, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. Drought allowed the fire season to get a head start this year. KING-TV NBC 5 (Seattle, Wash.), Aug 16, 2021

As reservoirs and other water sources become depleted amid drought, California fire fighters look to alternative water supplies, such as people’s swimming pools or tanks of water on private property when they really need water. Cal Fire replaces the water later once the fire is under control. CBS Sacramento (Calif.), Aug 19, 2021

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources expanded burning restrictions in northern and central Minnesota effective Aug. 17 as drought worsens and the fire danger rises. The expanded restrictions include the eastern portion of Roseau County and all of Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Morrison, Stearns, St. Louis, Todd and Wadena counties. There are additional restrictions for 11 of the previous counties (Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Mahnomen and the northern portion of St. Louis and Wadena counties, excluding tribal trust lands) and three additional counties--Cook, Lake and Otter Tail. KARE-TV NBC 11 (Minneapolis, Minn.), Aug 16, 2021

The Greenwood Fire burned 4,200 acres and continued to expand since the blaze began on Aug. 15, likely from a lightning strike, prompting Lake County officials to declare a state of emergency on Aug. 19. Grand Forks Herald (N.D.), Aug 19, 2021

A Waite Park well drilling business was extremely busy servicing wells and drilling new wells as pumps or irrigation systems suffer from overuse. CBS Minnesota (Minneapolis), Aug 16, 2021

The City of Folsom announced on Aug. 16 that residents must curb water use by 20% as of Aug. 30. Folsom gets its water from the American River at Folsom Lake, which is lower than it was during the 2014-15 drought. This is also the second driest year since 1977. In June, Folsom officials requested that residents voluntarily lower their water use by 10%. KCRA-TV NBC 3 Sacramento (Calif.), Aug 17, 2021

The Bureau of Land Management manages the wild horse population in the West and intended to gather around 6,000 horses, largely in Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming and Colorado by October, rounding up 50% more horses than in 2020. Meager precipitation allowed little vegetation to grow this spring and summer for the animals to eat. Animal advocates want the horses left on the range and given fertility treatments to limit herd size, but fertility treatments must be readministered annually. Cattle ranchers were voluntarily reducing grazing on federal land and were hauling water to livestock, which also benefits the horses. Associated Press News (New York), Aug 18, 2021 The Bureau of Land Management plans to round up 50% more horses in 2021, due to intense drought. Recent emergency roundups were focused on horses in Nevada, Oregon and Colorado where “chronic overpopulation” has exhausted food and water supplies. Associated Press News (New York), Aug 3, 2021

Red River Valley construction companies were completing projects ahead of schedule without rain delays. KVLY-TV Fargo - Valley News Live (N.D.), Aug 13, 2021

After a dry spring and hot summer, almond trees in the San Joaquin Valley are beginning to be stressed. With irrigation and water quality issues, many growers are worried about the next season and wonder what the lack of water has done to the trees. ABC 30 Action News (Fresno, Calif.), Aug 12, 2021

Some apples were a little smaller than usual for lack of moisture. The orchard owner worried about some newly planted trees and hand-watered them carefully this summer to keep them alive and thriving. KSTP-TV ABC 5 Minneapolis/St. Paul (Minn.), Aug 12, 2021

Spider mites were increasing in number in South Dakota, due to continued drought and heat. WNAX-AM 570 (Yankton, S.D.), Aug 16, 2021

The harvest of grapes for sparkling wines began in Sonoma County, but the grapes for still wines will stay on the vines for a few more weeks. The crop was lighter and berries smaller for the most part, but grape growers are hopeful for the quality of the grapes despite the drought. Many growers were using less far water this year than in previous years. Sonoma Index-Tribune (Calif.), Aug 19, 2021

Drought and heat caused some streams to run dry. Ranchers responded by stocking the ranches with fewer cattle to avoid overgrazing. KBOI-TV (Boise, Idaho), Aug 18, 2021