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;