Latest news with #U.S.DroughtMonitorReport
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Doña Ana County issues open-burning restrictions
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Doña Ana County fire marshal has ordered what it being calling a 'full restriction' on open-burning activities beginning Tuesday, May 27, due to ongoing drought and climate conditions, the County said. The ban will remain in place until conditions improve. The restriction applies throughout Doña Ana County, except in incorporated municipalities or on federal and state lands where separate fire codes and ordinances may be enforced, the County said. Starting Tuesday, no open burning will be allowed within the jurisdiction of Doña Ana County Fire Rescue. No burn permits will be issued or honored for open burning of vegetation until further notice, the County said. This restriction does not apply to the 'careful and monitored use of recreational items such as barbecue grills or small bonfires on private property, as long as the fire remains contained and attended at all times,' the County. Violators may face fines of $100 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for repeat violations. Doña Ana County is 'experiencing extreme drought,' with the southern region classified as being the most severe, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor Report published May 22, the County said. In response, New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy announced fire restrictions across nearly 20 counties, including Doña Ana, earlier this week. The state order prohibits smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning and open fires on all non-municipal, non-federal and non-tribal lands. Additionally, the National Weather Service recently issued multiple red flag and dust storm warnings, citing wind conditions that increase the risk of rapidly spreading wildfires, the County said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Farmers sound the alarm after months of weird weather throws crops off track: 'We'll just keep our fingers crossed'
Wisconsin farmers are concerned about how a lack of winter snow will impact their harvests this year. A drop in snowfall for the season is something they may have to get used to in the future, however. Eagle River in northern Wisconsin is known as the "Snowmobile Capital of the World" because of its hundreds of miles of trails. The town, like much of Wisconsin this past winter, came up short on snowfall compared to average. Eagle River ended up with nearly 10 inches of snow less than average during the winter of 2024-2025. That represents a reduction of around 20% of the average for a winter there. The Badger State had its 34th-warmest and 18th-driest winter on record. That led to a drop in snowfall compared to the average for most of the state. Southern Wisconsin was hit the hardest, with most of that portion of the state seeing between 25% to 75% of average seasonal snowfall. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report revealed that just over 50% of the state was in a moderate drought. Winter snowfall is particularly important for strawberry farmers. They count on snow to cover their crops, protecting the burgeoning sweet fruit from extreme weather. "It's been a really unusual year. I can't point to a year that I can remember where it was just like this," Kerry Bruntz, farmer and owner of SunnyHill Farm in Green Bay, told Spectrum News 1. "The snow acts as insulation for a crop like strawberries, that needs to lay dormant over the winter and then come back to life. Without that insulation, the crop could potentially be harmed by severe cold weather. We're hoping. But again, we'll have to wait and see if there was anything, any harm. We'll just keep our fingers crossed." The Midwest Regional Climate Center uses its Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index to track the severity of winters across the country. All nine of the locations it monitors in Wisconsin experienced a "mild" winter, the least extreme of the five categories the index considers. A Climate Central analysis of snowfall trends for over 2,000 locations in the United States found that nearly two-thirds (64%) now get less snow than in the early 1970s. Snow plays a crucial role in keeping our planet cooler. The lack of the white stuff also has implications for water supplies in our country because it accounts for over 50% of the runoff that refills reservoirs and replenishes groundwater in the western U.S. In addition to having impacts on farmers, Wisconsin's economy takes a hit when snow comes up short. The outdoor recreation industry, including winter sports, boosts the state's economy by $11.2 billion annually. Wisconsin isn't the only place in the Upper Midwest that faced a snowfall shortage. As of the first week of March, Fargo, North Dakota, had received just under 20 inches of snow so far this snow season, about half of the normal number through that time of the year. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. A shift in snowpack levels in the Sierra Nevada this winter is disconcerting because the region's snowpack supplies nearly 30% of the state's water needs. To cool our planet, we must drastically reduce the amount of heat-trapping gases released into the atmosphere by the burning of dirty fuels. To this end, we can help by becoming informed about critical climate issues, talking to family and friends about what is happening, and advocating for change and a shift to renewable energy sources. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
