Montana’s Governor Steve Bullock has declared a drought disaster in 31 counties and six Indian reservations. Nearly every county within the state is in a drought or trending towards drought.
In a report by the Billings Gazette, this is the first summer in 10 years that the majority of the state was experiencing drought at the same time and the first year since 2004 that more than 10 percent of the state was in extreme drought.[I]
Current agricultural losses to the drought have been catastrophic, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture projecting total crop losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Nearly half of the state’s spring planted crops have been rated in poor or very poor condition. Spring and Durum wheat, both specialty products of Northeastern Montana are projected to produce the worst yields in decades.[II]
“High temperatures, extreme drought, and worsening fire conditions are affecting Montanans in many corners of our state,” Governor Bullock said in a press release. “We’re doing everything we can to minimize the economic impact of these hot and dry conditions and help folks get back on their feet using all resources available.”[III]
Only 2.7 percent of the state is experiencing normal conditions. The National Weather Service has projected an above average dryness for the remainder of year, making fall precipitation unlikely.[IV]
[I] Lutey, Tom. Nearly all of Montana is in drought. Billings Gazette, August 19, 2017. Web. http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/nearly-all-of-montana-is-in-drought/article_28b35ca0-3473-5fd5-bc15-22d0c82d8363.html
[II] Lutey. Nearly all of Montana is in drought. http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/nearly-all-of-montana-is-in-drought/article_28b35ca0-3473-5fd5-bc15-22d0c82d8363.html
[III] Office of Governor Steve Bullock. Governor Bullock declares drought disaster in 31 counties, 6 indian reservations. Montana.Gov, August 20, 2017. Web. http://governor.mt.gov/Newsroom/governor-bullock-declares-drought-disaster-in-31-counties-6-indian-reservations
[IV] The Associated Press. Nearly all of Montana is in or trending toward drought. Great Falls Tribune, August 20, 2017. Web. http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2017/08/20/nearly-all-montana-trending-toward-drought/584569001/
Picture Reference: The National Drought Mitigation Center
Comments
in Environment