Tag: Drought

Australia to Provide $2 Million in Aid to Kiribati as Country’s Drinking Water Dry’s Up

Australia will provide an extra $2 million (US$1.4 million) in aid assistance for Kiribati as the pacific country’s drought continues to worsen. The assistance comes following the country’s state of disaster declaration on June 13, after the pacific nation experienced below-average rainfall over the past 6 months, which has led to high levels of salinity in…


Australia to Provide $2 Million in Aid to Kiribati as Country’s Drinking Water Dries Up

Australia will provide an extra $2 million (US$1.4 million) in aid assistance for Kiribati as the pacific country’s drought continues to worsen. The assistance comes following the country’s state of disaster declaration on June 13, after the pacific nation experienced below-average rainfall over the past 6 months, which has led to high levels of salinity in…


State of Emergency Declared in Northern Italy Over Worst Drought in 70 Years

The Italian government has declared a state of emergency in five of its northern regions that are facing their worst drought in seven decades. The state of emergency is applicable in Piedmont, Friuli-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, and Veneto until Dec. 31. The government has announced 36.5 million euros ($39.5 million) in funds to help tackle…


California Private Forest Closes Public Access Due to Wildfire Risk

ANDERSON, Calif.—One of the nation’s largest lumber manufacturers, Sierra Pacific Industries, closed public access to its California forests July 1 due to a high risk of wildfires. “Despite some of the late spring rains, California is experiencing the driest conditions in 1,200 years,” spokeswoman Andrea Howell said in a statement. The company owns more than…


Arizona Wildfires Forcing Thousands of People to Evacuate

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.—For the second time in less than two months, thousands of Flagstaff residents fled their homes in the face of yet another devastating wildfire. “We cope. God says, ‘Here you are. Do what you need to do,’ ” said Percy Piestewa, whose family lost property in the Tunnel Fire in mid-April. That blaze burned…


California Restricts Thousands From Pumping River Water in San Joaquin Valley

SACRAMENTO—California water officials announced more hefty water cuts to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed, affecting thousands of users from Fresno to parts of Northern California, as the state continues in its third year of drought. Earlier this week, the State Water Resources Control Board announced more cutbacks, which began Wednesday, June 8, affecting more than…


Spikes in Potentially Deadly Valley Fever Linked to Prolonged Drought Conditions

The vast majority of the American West is struggling with enduring “mega drought” conditions some experts think will last until 2030 and that is creating perfect conditions for an incurable disease to spread. A microscopic fungal organism in the soil called coccidioides is becoming more mainstream due to a rise in human infections resulting from airborne spores…


Spikes in Incurable Valley Fever Linked to Prolonged Drought Conditions

The vast majority of the American West is struggling with enduring “mega drought” conditions some experts think will last until 2030 and that is creating perfect conditions for an incurable disease to spread. A microscopic fungal organism in the soil called coccidioides is becoming more mainstream due to a rise in human infections resulting from airborne spores…


Los Angeles Restricts Outdoor Watering to 2 Days Per Week

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) customers can only water their yards twice a week, after the utility implemented stricter water conservation rules June 1 to combat the state’s drought. “We want our customers to dig deeper and save water wherever possible, to help get us through the summer without having to…


Californians Could See Mandatory Water Cuts: Newsom

SACRAMENTO—With summer months approaching, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned May 23 “the state could be forced to enact mandatory restrictions” if local water conservation efforts continue to be ineffective. Newsom met with California’s major water suppliers in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area on Monday, asking them to urge Californians to use less…