Portion of Kern County Desert now classified as "worst" drought status
Ridgecrest region now in "Exceptional Drought"
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U.S. Drought Monitor Report
and last updated 2021-05-13 10:43:14-04
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. â The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report released Thursday morning shows the drought status in Kern County getting worse for the second consecutive week.
A portion of the Mojave Desert, specifically near Ridgecrest, is now classified as "Exceptional Drought", the worst status on the list.
That classification of D4 means: "Fields are left fallow; orchards are removed; vegetable yields are low; honey harvest is small. Fire season is very costly; number of fires and area burned are extensive. Many recreational activities are affected. Fish rescue and relocation begins; pine beetle infestation occurs; forest mortality is high; wetlands dry up; survival of native plants and animals is low; fewer wildflowers bloom; wildlife death is widespread; algae blooms appear. Policy change; agriculture unemployment is high, food aid is needed. Poor air quality affects health; greenhouse gas emissions increase as hydropower production decreases; West Nile Virus outbreaks rise. Water shortages are widespread; surface water is depleted; federal irrigation water deliveries are extremely low; junior water rights are curtailed; water prices are extremely high; wells are dry, more and deeper wells are drilled; water quality is poor."