Drought Alert

The U.S. experienced its worst spring drought on record last month. The dry conditions have caused alarm. This is especially the case among farmers. The drought could impact their crops.

Billy Bain has been a farmer in Virginia for 58 years. He told CBS News in April that this year is the worst he has seen. “We had to stop planting because it’s so dry,” he said.

Wheat farms in several states have been affected. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects wheat planting this year to reach its lowest level since 1919.

Drought has fueled wildfires even in wetlands such as the Florida Everglades. Wildfires have burned 120,000 acres in Florida already this year. According to NASA, this drought “is the most widespread and severe to affect the state since 2012.” Wildfires also burned in Georgia in April.

FUELED BY DROUGHT On May 11, firefighters battle a wildfire that’s burned nearly 6,000 acres in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

A state of emergency was declared in 91 counties there. This allowed Georgia’s National Guard to fight the fires. The Georgia Forestry Commission responded to no new wildfires on May 7. It was the first day with no new fires since December.

Wildfires also burned across southeast Georgia in late April. A state of emergency was declared in 91 counties. This allowed the state’s National Guard to fight the fires. On May 7, the Georgia Forestry Commission responded to no new wildfires. It was the first day with no new fires since December.

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