Aug 02 Watch 8:09 Severe drought reignites decades-old conflict between Oregon ranchers, Indigenous peoples By Stephanie Sy, Leah Nagy Vast stretches of the Western U.S. are suffering under scorching temperatures, rampant wildfires and a years-long drought that's depleting lakes and reservoirs. The water scarcity is tearing apart one southern Oregon community where farmers, native tribes and endangered species are… Continue watching
Jul 26 As drought cuts hay crop, cattle ranchers face culling herds By Brittany Peterson, Associated Press As the drought worsens across the West and ushers in an early fire season, cattle ranchers are among those feeling the pain. Their hay yields are down, leading some to make the hard decision to sell off animals. Continue reading
Jul 20 Watch 8:43 Californians scramble for fresh water as taps, wells run dry By William Brangham, Sam Lane, Lena I. Jackson The severe drought across the Western U.S. is already causing long term problems, exacerbated by the warming atmosphere driven by climate change. As William Brangham reports from California’s San Joaquin Valley, the demand for water has threatened the drinking supply… Continue watching
Jul 20 In California’s agricultural heartland, thousands of wells could soon run dry By Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado One day last month, water in the community of Teviston, about 66 miles south of Fresno, suddenly stopped flowing. The town’s services office fielded calls from residents who said their taps ran dry, and when city… Continue reading
Jul 18 Huge Oregon blaze grows as wildfires burn across western US By Associated Press The largest wildfire in the U.S. torched more dry forest landscape in Oregon on Sunday, one of dozens of major blazes burning across the West as critically dangerous fire weather loomed in the coming days. Continue reading
Jul 12 Wildfires rage as U.S. West grapples with heat wave, drought By Christopher Weber, Associated Press Firefighters were working in extreme temperatures across the U.S. West and struggling to contain wildfires, the largest burning in California and Oregon, as another heat wave baked the region, straining power grids. Continue reading
Jul 08 Governor asks Californians to voluntarily cut water use by 15 percent By Adam Beam, Associated Press California's most important reservoirs will likely reach historic lows later this year. Continue reading
Jul 02 Watch 7:52 Americans who lost homes to devastating wildfires brace for an even worse season By Stephanie Sy, Leah Nagy, Lena I. Jackson, Sam Lane In the middle of an unprecedented heat wave and a worsening drought, western U.S. states are bracing for what could be an even harsher wildfire season than last year's — potentially the worst on record. With many residents still picking… Continue watching
Jul 02 Firefighters make progress against California forest fires By Terry Chea, John Antczak, Associated Press Three big wildfires have burned about 60 square miles of land in the Mount Shasta region as of early Friday. Damage is reported at the Salt Fire, which prompted evacuations in the unincorporated community of Lakehead north of the city… Continue reading
Jun 30 What’s causing the drought in the West — and why it’s so bad By Chloe Jones The Western United States is at a tipping point in the water crisis as a two-decades long drought culminates with historically low water supply. Continue reading