Springtime warmth has accelerated snowmelt across the western US, contributing to the lowest snowpack levels on record, prompting concerns over an impending wildfire season. This unprecedented melt, paired with federal budget constraints and reduced fire crew staffing, has created a precarious situation. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings while drought conditions worsen. These factors compound fears of limited water availability for rivers and streams during summer, potentially creating a feedback loop that exacerbates drought across the region.
The rapid snowmelt, exacerbated by reduced staffing and budget constraints, has set the stage for a particularly dangerous wildfire season across the western United States.
About one-third of the western US is now in severe drought or worse, the highest fraction in more than two years, raising alarms for water availability.
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