California drought takes toll on world’s top almond producer [The Associated Press]
As temperatures recently reached triple digits, farmer Joe Del Bosque inspected the almonds in his parched orchard in California’s agriculture-rich San Joaquin Valley, where a deepening drought threatens one of the state’s most profitable crops. Del Bosque doesn’t have enough water to properly irrigate his almond orchards, so he’s practicing “deficit irrigation” — providing less water than the trees need. He left a third of his farmland unplanted to save water for the nuts. And he may pull out 100 of his 600 acres (243 hectares) of almond trees after the late summer harvest — years earlier than planned. A historic drought across the U.S. West is taking a heavy toll on California’s $6 billion almond industry, which produces roughly 80% of the world’s almonds. More growers are expected to abandon their orchards as water becomes scarce and expensive.
Colorado River water shortage declared for first time; California could see cuts by 2024 [Palm Springs Desert Sun]
The federal government on Monday declared a first-ever shortage on the Colorado River, announcing mandatory water cutbacks next year for Arizona, Nevada and Mexico. California will not be immediately affected, but U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials warned that more cuts would likely be necessary. The river supplies drinking water and irrigation for 40 million people. The declaration of a shortage was triggered by the spiraling decline of Lake Mead, which stores water used by California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico. “What we’d hoped we’d never see is here,” said Reclamation Deputy Commissioner Camille Touton during a press conference announcing the declaration. “Additional actions will likely be necessary in the very near future.” The Lake Mead reservoir near Las Vegas has fallen to its lowest levels since the Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s, and the lake’s level is continuing to drop after years of chronic overuse and drought intensified by climate change. It now stands at just 35% of full capacity.
https://amp.desertsun.com/amp/8155692002
In a First, U.S. Declares Shortage on Colorado River, Forcing Water Cuts [New York Times]
With climate change and long-term drought continuing to take a toll on the Colorado River, the federal government on Monday for the first time declared a water shortage at Lake Mead, one of the river’s main reservoirs. The declaration triggers cuts in water supply that, for now, mostly will affect Arizona farmers. Beginning next year, they will be cut off from much of the water they have relied on for decades. Much smaller reductions are mandated for Nevada and for Mexico across the southern border. But larger cuts, affecting far more of the 40 million people in the West who rely on the river for at least part of their water supply, are likely in coming years as a warming climate continues to reduce how much water flows into the Colorado from rain and melting snow.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/16/climate/colorado-river-water-cuts.html
PG&E inspected power lines two weeks before the Fly Fire started in Plumas County [San Francisco Chronicle]
PG&E crews inspected company equipment and vegetation near the site where the Fly Fire in the Sierra Nevada began in late July, but never made note of a white fir that later toppled onto utility lines, possibly igniting the blaze that merged with the Dixie Fire to become the second-largest wildfire in California history, papers filed in federal court showed Monday. Six trees near the suspected origin of the Fly Fire were put on a nonurgent list marking them for trimming or removal because of their proximity to power lines, the court filings show. But the white fir that toppled onto utility lines on July 22 — a charred tree was later collected as evidence — was not among those mentioned in any report. Pacific Gas and Electric lawyers on Monday reported the company’s inspection history in the Quincy area in response to a federal judge’s order demanding the utility detail what is known so far about its role starting the Dixie Fire, a massive blaze that has so far cost the U.S. Forest Service $217 million to fight and is only 31% contained.
PG&E threatens power shutoffs as Dixie fire rages in Northern California [Los Angeles Times]
As the Dixie fire continues to rage, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. announced that it could cut power for roughly 39,000 residents across 16 Northern California counties Tuesday night to reduce the risk of wildfires from energized power lines. A red flag warning for the Dixie burn area is expected to last through 10 p.m. Tuesday, as gusts are expected to peak at 35 mph. Temperatures will hover in the mid-90s, potentially hitting triple digits in some areas. PG&E began alerting customers about the possible shutoffs on Sunday through text, email and automated calls.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-08-16/pg-e-plans-power-shutoffs-as-dixie-fire-rages
Wildfire updates: Susanville residents told to ‘be alert’ as Dixie Fire creeps closer [Sacramento Bee]
The Susanville Police Department issued a news release Monday telling residents of the city “to be alert and be ready to evacuate in the event that the Dixie Fire threatens the City of Susanville.” Thousands of fire personnel continue to battle the month-old Dixie Fire, which is burning primarily in Butte and Plumas counties. The blaze has burned 569,707 acres (890 square miles), with containment stalled at 31%. Elsewhere, two large fires in Trinity County that ignited during a late July lightning storm continue to burn and prompt evacuation warnings: the Monument Fire and the McFarland Fire. And a fire burning in rough terrain in Eldorado National Forest remains 0% contained. The Caldor Fire sparked Saturday in the Middle Fork Cosumnes River Canyon, about four miles south of Grizzly Flats.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article253519799.html
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