The drought in California, in its fifth consecutive year, has created conditions ripe for wildfires. The National Interagency Fire Center predicts "above normal" fire potential through September for portions of California, Nevada and Idaho.
A lack of rain in May and June has wiped out that "drought-free" area of northwestern California and water supply could become a 'concern' later this summer.
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A U.S. agency says western U.S. snowpack dropped at "record speed" during April as average temperatures in the contiguous U.S. were 4.0°F above average from January through April 2016.
There was a slight reduction in the percentage of drought in California over the past week. But the U.S. Drought Monitor says it will take time to ease the state's historic four-year drought.
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